Paul Gene Gaines

Paul Gene Gaines passed away Monday November 15, 2021 In Stillwater. He was 86. Services have been entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater.

Paul was born June 24,1935 in Ft. Worth, Texas to Paul William and Amy Gertrude (Andrews) Gaines. He grew up in the Ft. Worth area and graduated from Mansfield High School in 1953. He and Irmajean Wright were married on December 30, 1954 in Tampa, Florida. Together they enjoyed 66 years of marriage until her passing in January of 2021. In 1955 he joined the United States Army where he faithfully served his country. Reaching the rank of Master Sargent and receiving an honorable discharge in 1961.

He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958 and his Masters of Education in 1970 from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. He and his family moved to Stillwater in 1972 when he became the director of the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Material, a program that is still in service in the Washington D.C. area. Paul was also a professor in the College Education at O.S.U. for several years.

Survivors include his daughter, Sandra Lynn Heaton and husband Dave of Stillwater, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Amanda Townsend and husband Adrian of Edmond, Oklahoma, and James Heaton of Stillwater, Oklahoma; four great-grandchildren, Caroline, Katie, Libby, and Owen, all of Edmond, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Irmajean Gaines; daughter Terri Jo Leonard; son-in-law Tom Leonard; and brother, Harold Gaines.

A Celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 1PM at Legacy Village Chapel in Stillwater with Dr. Charles Cox officiating.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com