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Gary Morrison ©Enid News and Eagle 08-30-2011 Submitted by: Jo Aguirre
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ENID — Gary Morrison, 69, passed away Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, after losing his battle with cancer and hepatitis.
Born Aug. 11, 1942, in Lufkin, Texas, to Ray and Betty (Schurman) Morrison.
Gary graduated from Baxter Springs, Kan., High School in 1962. He began his career in funeral service while in high school, working at his uncle's funeral home.
Gary had quit school after his junior year and his uncle said if he would come and live with their family and return to school and graduate, he would teach him the funeral business. They both kept their promises!
Gary later moved to Oklahoma, where he served his apprenticeship in the funeral business and later enrolled in Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1967.
In 1969 he moved to Santa Fe, N.M., and was employed as manager of a large funeral home.
While in Santa Fe, he met and married Kathleen Gail Davis on April 4, 1970. And to that union was born a daughter, Victoria Gail, in 1978.
In July 1971 they moved to Wakita, Okla., and purchased the Thomas Funeral Home and Furniture Co., later changing the name to Morrison Funeral Service.
Gary and Kathy divorced in 1983 and later reconnected when Gary's health deteriorated due to his hepatitis. In 1983 they sold the business so Gary could pursue his other goal of becoming an independent funeral contractor for different funeral homes in and out of the state of Oklahoma. He recently had been employed as funeral director in charge at Goodwin Funeral Home in Cherokee and assisted Wilson Funeral Home in Pond Creek. He also was the holder of an electrical apprentice license and worked with Ken Frech Electric, formerly of Medford.
Gary was past president of Wakita Lions Club, past secretary and member of Wakita Volunteer Fire Dept., past member of Wakita Community Health Center Board and Wakita Town Board of Trustees.
Gary was baptized in the Assembly of God religion.
His hobbies were fishing, building and flying radio controlled airplanes and model railroading.
Predeceased by his parents and one half-brother.
Survivors include sister, Vonnie Stoia of Menlo Park, Calif.; daughter, Victoria Gail Chivers and husband Scott of Drummond, Okla.; grandsons, Breidon and Reese Chivers of Drummond, Okla.; ex-wife and companion, Kathy Morrison of Wakita; stepsisters, Trudy Crosswhite, Atchison, Kan., and Susan Hungerford, Arlington, Texas; half-brothers, Gregory Morrison, Atchison, Kan., and Carey Morrison, Elgin, Okla.; stepbrother, Michael Green, Atchison, Kan.; good friend, Carol Bolser, Wakita; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011, at Wakita Christian Church with Rev. Jeff Enabnit and Rev. Bob Smith officiating.
Burial will follow in Wakita Cemetery under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home, Pond Creek. The casket will be open to the public at the funeral home and after the service.
Memorials may be made to Wakita Cemetery Association.
(Submitted by family)
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