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Gary Linn Forbis

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Gary Linn Forbis died September 12, 2021 in Tyler, Texas, at the age of 81 years 11 months 1 day. Memorial Services were held Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the Grace Community Church in Tyler, Texas, entrusted to the care of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Gary will be laid to rest in a private service at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle, Oklahoma, entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service. Online condolences may be made at www.wadleysfuneralservice.com. The memorial service was live streamed at https://gcc.org/live-streaming/oj.

Gary was born October 11, 1939 in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to Hugh Noland and Chessie (Yeary) Forbis. He was raised and attended school in Chickasha, graduating around 1957. Gary was inducted into the United States Army on January 25, 1956, proudly serving his country, until his honorable discharge on April 12, 1962.

On August 20, 1966, Gary and Peggy Lee Paramore were united in marriage in Chickasha, Oklahoma. They made their home in the Tuttle area. In 1963, Gary became an Oklahoma licensed Funeral Director, working throughout the years at Sevier Funeral Home in Chickasha as well as helping in 1991 establish Wadley’s Funeral Home in Purcell.

Gary also served as a Chickasha Police Officer, as the Tuttle City Manager, an Emergency Medical Technician and the Director of the Emergency Medical Services for the State of Oklahoma until his retirement in 1986.

Gary had a heart for bettering his community and a gift for helping those in need. He loved  spending time with his family, and loved his wife, children and grandchildren without measure. In his free time, Gary enjoyed treasure hunting, metal detecting, fishing, camping, reading and studying old west history. Gary was a member of the American Legion and a Scottish Rite Mason. He was an amazing family man, mentor, and friend. 

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Noland and Chessie Forbis; sister, Imogene Metcalf; his brothers, Don Forbis and Wesley Forbis; and his great-grandson, Mauricio Florez.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Peggy Forbis of the home; his daughter, Kim Jones of Norman, Okla.; his daughter, Kelly Coker and husband, Kenneth, of Tyler, Texas; his daughter, Kara Loeffelholz and husband, Danny, of Flint, Texas; his nine grandchildren, Kayla Burnough and Tyanne Burnough, both of Oklahoma City, Marcus Burnough and Derrick Burnough, both of Norman, Okla.; Arianna Coker of Calera, Okla., Anna Coker of Tyler, Texas, and Eli Loeffelholz, Nate Loeffelholz and Thadd Loeffelholz, all of Flint, Texas; 10 great-grandchildren; his sister, Sharon Strain and husband, Bill, of Aledo, Texas;  his brother, Keith Forbis and wife, JoAnn, of Florida; and numerous other relatives and friends.