Gary L. McElmurry Sr.

Gary Lamont McElmurry Sr., 69, of Wagoner, Oklahoma passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 23, 1953 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Harold Lloyd McElmurry Sr. and Gwendolyn (Cordell) McElmurry. He attended Muskogee Public Schools and graduated from Muskogee High School with the class of 1971. Gary married the love of his life, Connie Lea Hopkins on June 8, 1973. They shared more than 50 years of life, marriage and memories together. He and his brother, Harold Jr., mowed yards around town through junior high. In high school, he worked at a full-service filling station, filling, servicing, and washing cars. He was so meticulous at his job; he had certain customers who would ask for only him. One of those customers was the plant manager at Corning Glass Works in Muskogee. He liked Gary so much and his work ethic he told Gary to come to the job that was waiting for him. At the time, it was one of the best paying jobs in Muskogee. He went to Corning right away and ran into a snag but couldn’t start because he wasn’t 18 at the time. The night he turned 18, he started working at Corning and worked there until the plant closed in the 1980’s. In the 1980’s is when he met many of his friends who ended up becoming part of his family. After Corning closed, Gary attended ICTC where he graduated top of his class and earned National VICA awards. He then furthered his education with an Associate’s degree from OSU. He then worked in HVAC until he was injured and unable to install HVAC’s so he then attended truck driving school in Drumright and drove a truck long enough to see the country and pass the love of truck driving on to his baby boy, Brian McElmurry. The last and final, but probably favorite job of his career, was IBEW Master Electrician out of Tulsa Local #584 Union Hall. Gary worked days and attended evening classes in the IBEW apprenticeship program, so they loving nicknamed him, “Gary the Apprentasaurus-Rex”, because he was a lot older than most of the apprentices. His “lovely and always chipper” demeanor later as a journeyman, earned him a new nickname, “Walter”, after the grumpy puppet from the comedian, Jeff Dunham. He retired a lifelong career of loyalty, honesty, great work ethic and almost never missed a day for any reason. Gary is survived by his loving wife, Connie Lea McElmurry (Hopkins) of Wagoner, OK; son, Gary L. Jr (Sheila) of Wagoner, OK; daughter, Lyn (Dustin) of Porter, OK; his mom, Gwen Roden of Broken Arrow, OK; brother Stanley McElmurry of Broken Arrow, OK; and sister, Gail Curtsinger (McElmurry) of Portugal; his grandchildren Jaime (Andrew) of Broken Arrow, OK, Elijah (Jaimee) of Coweta, OK, Tristan (Jenny) of Muskogee, OK, Bryce of Muskogee, OK, Dalton (Kelsie) of Muskogee, OK, Wyatt of Wagoner, OK, Blake of Muskogee, OK, and Kody, Carin, Clair, Cyle Cash, Ashley, Brandon, Austin, and Easton all of Porter, OK; 15 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-granddaughter. He also had a special relationship with Carl Mustain, his closest Christian friend. He had lots of extra love and attention from his niece, Sherry Hopkins. His nephew, Tony Hopkins, was his go-to for when he needed help on projects. Gary was loved by so many of his nieces, nephews, brother and sisters-in-law, his family, and friends, especially from the IBEW. Preceded in death by his son, Brian Gregory; dad, Harold L. Sr; brothers, Harold L. Jr. and Eulis; nephew, Harold L. III; paternal grandparents, John and Eva McElmurry; maternal grandparents, Ira and Pearl Cordell; in-laws, George and Janeth Hopkins; and special sister-in-law, Kay Hopkins.

Gary L. McElmurry Sr.

October 23, 1953 - June 14, 2023