Deceased Name: John "General" Gecks

© Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

John "General" Gecks, a respected educator, decorated Army Veteran and longtime resident of Durant, Oklahoma passed from this life in Plano, Texas on Monday, October 12, 2015 at the age of 84.

He was born in Edmond, Oklahoma on June 16, 1931 to John Joseph and Addie Mary Whiting Gecks.

He married Wilma Loyd-Dunn in Durant, Oklahoma on July 1, 2005.

John was one of those rare individuals that committed his life to educating others and protecting his beloved country through his extensive military service. He was proud of the fact that he was born and raised in the great state of Oklahoma.

He believed strongly in educating himself and made that a lifelong endeavor. He spent many years as a teacher in the public school system before moving on to higher education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma.

General was a member of the facility, Chair of the Education/Psychology Department, Director of Teacher education and Associate Professor before retiring in 1991. He served on numerous boards along with consulting/training his colleagues and fellow teachers.

He served in the active duty Army and United States Army Reserve from 1953-1987 achieving the final rank Major General of the Army Reserve. During his military service he received many medals and accommodations, eventually the honor of a place in the Hall of Fame at Ft. Benning, Georgia OCS.

John was a member of the Methodist Church and the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed golf and could often be found playing at his favorite golf course.

Mr. Gecks is survived by his wife, Wilma Gecks of the home; children, Scott Gecks of Boswell, Oklahoma, Rebecca Stevens and husband Mark of Durant, Oklahoma, Suzy Herron of Durant, Oklahoma and step-son, Ricky Dunn and wife Andrea of Durant, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Jenny Bonham of Beaumont, Texas, Bailey Scout Gecks of Boswell, Oklahoma, Shandon Slocum of Weatherford, Texas, Eva Moody and husband Matthew of Denison, Texas, Addie Rosenbaum and husband Matt of Denison, Texas, Marsha Nichols and husband Cody of Durant, Oklahoma, Jay Winship of Durant, Oklahoma, Dymond Stevens of Caddo, Oklahoma, Nate Stevens of Durant, Oklahoma, Emma Hicks of Durant, Oklahoma and Megan Jackson and husband Brad of Durant, Oklahoma; eleven great-grandchildren and sister, Gene Sickles of Bedford, Texas.

Mr. Gecks was preceded in death by first wife, Margaret Bart Gecks; parents, J. J. "Pop" and Addie and sisters, Berenice Fairchilds and Lou Cooley.

A gathering of friends and family will be from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2015 at the Holmes ~ Coffey ~ Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma.

A memorial services in honor of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 16, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Durant. Full military honors will be presented by soldiers from Ft. Sill, Oklahoma at the Highland Cemetery.

Family and friends may send online condolences and view tributes at www.holmescoffeymurray.com.

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma.

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Margaret Rebecca Lanier Gecks
Birth: June 10, 1923
Chambers County,
Alabama, USA
Death: March 8, 1993
Durant,
Bryan County,
Oklahoma, USA

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