Gary Don Spiva, Jr., 51, died August 15, 2024. A graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 30, 2024 in the Ingalls Cemetery. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

"Gary was a gentle soul. He had a kind, loving father who thought the world of him. Gary inherited his father's gentle disposition as well as an eagerness to help others. He shared these talents through 27 years of loyal service to our great nation. He never turned down helping a neighbor or family member in need. He was the first call many of his soldiers made when they were in crisis."

Gary joined the military in 1993. He traveled, became fluent in Hangul, and earned numerous awards and certifications. He studied diesel mechanics at OSU-Okmulgee and became a lead mechanic for the Oklahoma Army National Guard. His military service was a huge source of pride for him. He poured himself into his soldiers and is reported as being the "best most annoying NCO".

He was the fountain of humor and a jokester in his family. He had the best nicknames for everyone. His wife was the "War Department" when he needed permission to do something, or "Wombat" when she got spicy. His daughters were lovingly referred to as the "Mud Monkeys" as they were usually covered head to toe in dirt, or as Larry, Curly, and Moe. His son was "Onion Head" or during serious walkie talkie sessions, "Sean Penn" to Gary's "Rick James". He would often say that he had a weak mind and a strong body. His wife tends to agree, as he never once questioned her Amazon purchases and was always a sucker for fixing nearly anything.

Gary is preceded in death by his father Gary Don Spiva, and mother Frances Spiva, as well as both sets of grandparents.

Gary is survived by his wife, Daun Lyons; son Barrett Daniel Spiva; both of Stillwater. His daughters, Zoey Gail Spiva and Shirlye Don Spiva, of Pawnee, and Samantha Kaye Spiva of Agra; as well as his military family. He is also survived by his sister, Donna Spiva-Doggett and her husband Jay; nephews, James and Jacob Byram; his brother, Jeff Spiva and his wife Heather; nephews, Thomas and Johnathan Spiva. Numerous members of OKARNG 45th Infantry Battalion and other Military peers with whom he served and whom he considered brothers and sisters.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests donations be made to help support his wife and son in the coming months by going to www.strodefh.com, or by going to their GoFundMe page https://gofund.me/15aa871b.