Gary R. Wilson

Longtime Ripley resident, Gary R. Wilson, passed from this life on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at his home in Ripley, Oklahoma following a brief illness. He was 89. Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater with Rev. Rodney Holcomb officiating. Pallbearers will be Laddie Aldridge, David Chambers, Steve Ledbetter, Tyler McTague, Charles Vasso, and Dakota York. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ripley, Oklahoma. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 15, 2019 from noon till 8PM.
Gary was born June 14, 1930 in Ripley, Oklahoma, the son of Cracker and Clara (Retherford) Wilson. Gary attended Ripley Schools, enjoyed playing on the basketball team and helping with the family farm. In 1950 he married the head twirler, Sarah Ann Savory and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Korea and Long Beach, California. Following his tour of duty, Gary returned to the Cushing area and became known as the top house painter. He eventually went to work and retired from Oklahoma State University in the Paint Department, once again receiving recognition for his painting expertise. He loved fishing and working on his acreage. He raised some of the best and biggest watermelons, always grew a large garden, and his pecans were some of the best in Payne County. But, most of all, Gary will always be remembered for having a story to tell and of course stories about the biggest fish that got away. A friend described him as a “pistol” and the description fits perfectly.
Gary is survived by his wife, Sarah of the home; four children, Kay Porter (Galen) of Stillwater, OK., Cary Wilson (Jan) of Dallas, TX., Donnie Wilson (Vicki) of Cushing, OK., and Sue Jones (David) of Yale, OK.; four grandchildren, Julie Porter of Denver, CO., Jayme McTague (Marcus) of Ada, OK., James Aldridge (Rachelle) of Chicago, IL., Jackie Dawn Porter (Josh) of Enid, OK. Gary also adored his two great-grandchildren, Danica McTague and Tyler McTague of Ada, OK., one brother, Jesse Wilson (Greta) of Neosho, MO., and one sister, Darlene Kinzie (Charles) of Ark City, KS.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com