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Gary M. Humphrey, Age 65, peacefully passed away Saturday, September 16, 2017 at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He was born August 10, 1952, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to George Marshall Humphrey and Barbara Humphrey. Gary grew up in Chickasha, Oklahoma, attending Friend School and later going on to graduate from Chickasha High School. He then attended St. Anthony School of Nursing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and there he began his career in nursing.
On August, 2, 1974, Gary married Kevin Van Ess. Shortly thereafter, they moved back to their hometown of Chickasha, to start a family. Together, they had two daughters, Blair and Amity Humphrey. Gary worked for several years as Director of Nursing at Grady Memorial Hospital in Chickasha,Oklahoma. In 1988, Gary and family moved back to Oklahoma City where Gary continued his nursing career at St. Anthony. He worked in several departments throughout the years, but spent most of his career in Behavioral Medicine, at St. Anthony, where he worked until his retirement in January, 2016.
Along with being a devoted father to Blair and Amity, his greatest passion and sense of purpose was caring for the patients in behavioral medicine and building meaningful relationships with his staff and peers.
Gary was a jokester and loved to pull good pranks as often as possible. He was quick-witted and full of humor. He was an incredible story teller and truly loved making others laugh. He was an amazing cook who enjoyed gathering his loved ones for a gourmet meal. He was informed and passionate about politics and was always game for a spirited debate. He had a love for the beauty and solace of Hawaii and made several trips over the years. It was his safe haven and he felt deeply connected to the islands. If you knew Gary, you know of his love for everything Hawaiian.
When loved by Gary, you were loved “big” and his support was steadfast. He was a loving, funny and bright man whose huge heart will be missed by so many.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, George Marshall Humphrey, his mother, Barbara Humphrey Persinger and his sister, Debbie Bloomfield. He is survived by his daughters, Blair and Amity Humphrey of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and their mother, Kevin Van Ess, also of Oklahoma City,Oklahoma; a brother, Greg Humphrey of Lawton,Oklahoma, a sister, Tami (Rick) Ford and his step-father, Donnie Persinger, of Chickasha, Oklahoma. He is also survived by many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
A memorial service celebrating Gary’s life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Sunday, October 1, 2017 in the Grand Hall at Castle Falls which is located at 820 N MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73127.
Gary’s Family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of St. Anthony Hospital, Valir Hospice and PARCway Recovery Center, for the knowledge, compassion and professionalism exhibited over the last few months. Memorials can be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Oklahoma. https://www.kidney.org
Tami ford says
Beautiful girls!!!!!! I know there is a void in your heart still can’t believe it. Love him bunches!!
Love baby sister
Rita Estes says
What a wonderful tribute to a such a wonderful man!😘
Gary has left a void in my life as well as many others! No one can ever fill it!😭
You were so SPECIAL to me!
I love you Gary! Tell Jesse I love him and I can’t wait to see both of you again…
❤️💔❤️💔
Jennifer Hernandez says
What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful person. Gary, your humor and stories will be hard to beat. I will always cherish the good times we had together bringing in the new year with a smile on our faces. I know you and Jesse as well as many others now both have that memorable smile on your face! RIP Gary until we see each other again.
Jan & Terry Humphrey says
Such a wonderful tribute to Gary! I wish we would have known him more.
We didn’t know his love for Hawaii—but we are here RIGHT now🌴🌴🌴—and feel a closeness to him. We’re on Kauai—which island did he love? We love that we are here—where he had such a fondness for–so far away…
Terry & Jan Humphrey
Diane Waldron Faulkner says
Gary, you will be dearly missed! You were a special cousin! We grew up together and you always made me laugh. You were also very intelligent to talk to. God bless your family and praying for your family to be strong during this sad time.
Diane and Ed Faulkner
VERNA WALDRON says
What a wonderful Tribute to Gary. You were a very special guy and I loved you very much. He always made me laugh. He loved his girls very much. He will be greatly missed.
Lynda(Taylor)Gillette says
To Gary’s daughters and family. Our prayers are with you at this time in your loss. Even though I did not see Him but a few times since childhood, I hold it true that when I did see him, he was that fun loving, generous and compassionate person that you speak of, and that I remembered even as a child.
Lynda(Taylor) Gillette and Layton Gillette
Vicki Stewart says
What a wonderful tribute to a loving father, brother, son, and friend. Your humor and stories will be hard to beat. I’ll never forget the many years you, Kevin and I worked together at Saint’s. Both of you taught me so much. When we spoke not to long ago, I knew you were not feeling well at all. I prayed for you every day for comfort from pain and suffering. Now your at peace. I love you, my dear friend, Vicki
Gayla Waldron Kugel says
Gary Mark will be missed greatly. We are 2nd. cousins, we didn’t spend allot of our adult lifes’ together but we spent a lot of time together we were younger. I’ll never forget his kindness and his jokester personality. I thank God everyday; the day we spent with Gary Mark, same ole same ole cracking jokes, enjoyed our last visit together. I want to tell you a funny conversation we had at the hospital. I said, My sister Rhonda went to meet my daughter down stairs in the hospital. I said, Gary you will be shocked when you meet Kristin she doesn’t look like me at tall. Kristin walked in and Gary said, know why do you want to lie to ole man. Maybe Gary Mark and I had a connection because I’m a jokester too. (Kristin is the spitten image of me) Gary you can peddle all you want in Heaven (God Rest Your Soul). Love you very much Gary Mark.
Gary Mark was an amazing strong man for everything he endured through his life. Through all that he endured he enjoyed his life and all his love ones. May God watch over his family during this difficult time. May God give his family peace and keep all the memories strong in their hearts and minds. Amen. Love yall
Gayla Waldron Kugel
Shirley and Johnny Key says
So sorry for your loss. Loosing someone that’s loved so much just leaves such a big hole in your heart. Sending comfort prayers an hugs.
Jeris Ford says
I will always remember how smart you were at diagnosing my spinal leak, after Stephanie’s birth, and how funny you were! You are safe and well in Heaven, so prayers to your family and loved ones right here🙏🙏🙏❤️
Donna Whinery says
I remember Gary and Kevin from Grady Memorial Hosp. They had a great reputation at being some of the best nurses around.
We were all so young then. They were the cutest sweetest couple.
Go Rest High on that Mountain Gary.
Tami Ford says
It’s me again his baby sister but I remember when Gary worked at Grady Memorial and Director of Nursing, Matthew my first son was born there and They had him on the back row in the nursery….Emma Laura, Ricks mom, said some to Gary about it and Gary went in Nursery and rearranged babies and moved Matthew to Front….We all loved it…..I was treated like a queen when I had my babies cause Gary made sure of it….He always took care of his baby sister……:( I know life goes on but it is an empty spot….
never new what to do for Gary but my last thing I did get to do for him Is when he was in Hospital that last week he wanted Ice chips and I got to feed him….not very much to some people, but it was a lot but meant so much for me…..Love you Gary….I was one lucky little girl to have you for my Big brother..Thank you God….
Love you Tami your favorite sister….
Doug Paddack says
He was a great caring compassionate nurse he hired me 1982 worked their 35yrs thanks to him I grew to be in nursing. He was fun, loving and caring Great nurse. God bless the Gary Humphreys family my condolences and my you have peace and much love. Doug Paddack
Kim Ashley says
Gary always entertained Tami and me growing up! He was so creative and so much fun! Gary was always there for us when we had a family member ill or in the hospital! Somehow he always knew! He would either call or just show up! He would have already found out what was going on and be there to interpret for us! I am so sad to know he won’t be there for my family and me when I am in the hospital very ill! I will always remember his compassionate heart he had for his family! Especially his sweet Aunts! So sorry I hadn’t seen him lately! He will be missed! My love to you all! Your cousin, Kim Ashley
Gary & LaVonda Waldron says
We never was around Gary much except at Family gatherings. He was a very caring and loving and always made sure he got around to talk to everyone. RIP GARY MARK! Love ❤️ and 🙏 To the Family!