Gary D Paul was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 31, 1951, to Charles Dwight Paul and Yvonna (Benton) Paul. He was the middle child with two sisters, Terry and Cindy. His cousin Cheri, a childhood friend, lived with them for a while. Gary graduated from Jenks High School in 1969. During high school he worked at Safeway and Jackson’s Funeral Home. He attended Okmulgee Tech and graduated with a degree in heat and air. He worked for Natkin Service Company where he met his wife, Rhonda Wode.

His work career included working for Dick Slankard the Dragon Slayer, and Trane Company. His work was primarily on large tonnage heat and air units. He spent some time on the cooling tower at Public Service Company in Oologah. In fact, he was stranded on the tower for several hours one time. At one time, he was the lead repair for the equipment at the refinery in west Tulsa. He had his own heating and air conditioning company for a few years, Gary Paul Mechanical Service. He also worked for his in-laws at Wodes in Collinsville. His last employment was teaching students at Wichita Technical Institute (WTI) in Tulsa.

Gary was predeceased by his wife, Rhonda (Wode) Paul; his mother, Yvonna Benton Paul Wares; his dad, Dwight Paul; his paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Benton and Dr & Mrs. Dwight Paul; Aunt Betty and Uncle Clyde Arrington: sister Terry Honeycutt; sister Cindy Collins.

Gary is survived by: son, Brian & Brooke Paul, grandson Hunter; son Ryan & Jennie Paul, granddaughters, Jayla & Rylan, grandson, Major; son, J.T. & Kat, granddaughters, Piper, Madi, Aubrey, & Emily; nephews, Bronson Roberts; Christopher Brown; Aaron Cash; niece, Sarah Brown Cagle; sister-in-law, Arilla Wode Karlak; cousins, Cheri Allman, Mark Arrington, Trent Arrington and Kevin Arrington; and special childhood friend, Rick Haskins.

Gary loved guns, hunting, fishing, going on trips with Rhonda and doing things with the men of Bethany Church. He has been involved as a member of Bethany Church for over 50 years. He also loved a good steak. He had a servant’s heart and was willing to do whatever was needed. He and Rhonda supported the activities of their sons and encouraged them to be strong men of godly character. Even during his stay in assisted living, he was smiling and sharing the love of the Lord with others.