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FUNERAL HOME

Baggerley Funeral Home

930 South Broadway

Edmond, Oklahoma

GARY STORY Obituary

Aug. 14, 1955 - Sept. 21, 2013 EDMOND Gary Story, former President and Chief Operating Officer of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, died on September 21 at his home in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was 58 years old. Mr. Story began his theme park career in high school sweeping streets at the St. Louis Six Flags Park. After graduating from University of Missouri, he held various positions at the company before leaving to operate independent theme parks in Mexico City, Sydney, Australia and Oklahoma City. In the mid 1980's, Mr. Story and his partner, Kieran Burke, founded Premier Parks, Inc. with the acquisition of Frontier City Amusement Park in Oklahoma City. Mr. Story was instrumental in driving the growth of Premier Parks from one park into the largest regional theme park company in the world with 39 parks in 8 countries, including the acquisition of the Six Flags chain of parks in 1998 (Premier Parks changed its name to Six Flags, Inc. in 2000). Mr. Story had a profound impact on the growth and success of Six Flags and was a mentor and role model to countless professionals throughout the company and the industry at large. Mr. Story, who retired from Six Flags in 2004, also served as Chairman of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) in 2004 and remained active in the industry through his participation in the ownership of Nashville Shores water park, Nashville, TN, Ocean Breeze Water Park, Virginia Beach, VA and Clementon Park and Splash World, Clementon, NJ. An Eagle Scout as a youth, Gary was also very involved nationally with the Boy Scouts of America, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and UNICEF. He is survived by his wife, Lorena; three children, Paul, Katherine and Scott, who make their homes in the Oklahoma City area. Memorial service will be 12 noon, September 27, 2013, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond.

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Published by Oklahoman on Sep. 25, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for GARY STORY

24 Entries

Michele Williams

November 18, 2013

Kate and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. He was a wonderful person and so good to Molly. There are a lot of great memories with your family.

Carol Chance

October 24, 2013

Great pictures, great life, great story! So sorry for your loss!
Warmest Regards, Carol and Dick Chance

Paty Cardona

October 9, 2013

Hermana estoy triste por la muerte de tu esposo, ver tantas fotografias de él sacaron mis lágrimas. Guardo muchos hermosos recuerdos en mi corazón, tuviste el mejor marido del mundo y Paul Katie and Scott el mejor padre que pueda haber. Gary esta con Dios y sera el mejor angel que cuide por siempre de ustedes. Estoy contigo hermana eres una mujer muy fuerte y pilar de tu familia. Se que saldras adelante. Los quiero mucho.

October 3, 2013

Lorena, Paul, Katherine and Scott,

Your husband and father meant so much to the Goff Family and we mourn his passing. Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to you all. May Gary rest in peace and comfort knowing he did so much for so many.

Rick, Carol, Justin and Austin Goff

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Bob Masterson

September 28, 2013

The pictures are wonderful, and show the love Gary has for his bride Lorena. I remember how his face would light up when she entered the room.
We will miss him deeply.
Bob & Phai Masterson

September 28, 2013

Dear Lorena, Children & Family,

My very sincere condolences to you all. Gary was the best of the best in our industry, as a customer and in life. I shall never forget one particular evening sitting with Gary and Lorena at a Summer IAAPA meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil enjoying Gaipirinha's and wonderful conversation. Gary is and will be forever remembered and missed.

Fitz-Edward Otis
International Sales Manager
Sally Corporation

Dave Andrews

September 28, 2013

Story Family,

I have only just begun to know Gary over the past three years, but he was a great person. He will truly be missed. I will keep you all in my prayers. I know that God will keep Gary close.
-Dave

September 27, 2013

It was a blessing to see Gary and Lorena at our 40th high school reunion. A few of us sat around and talked about our youth until it was well past closing time. I will always remember what a nice guy Gary was in high school, his quiet nature and warm smile. I have often spoken of him as a role model. At one of our reunions Jim Healey talked of Gary sweeping the grounds at Six Flags in their youth and "now he's running the place".
So glad to share high school memories one last time.
With deepest sympathy,
Peggy Schmid Gorton

Terri Minter

September 27, 2013

Maureen and Armando,

Wishing you my sincere condolences for the loss of your cousin Gary. Maureen, you have shared so many great stories of growing up as the only girl in a family of boys! I know how much all of your cousins mean to you. I am praying for you and for all of Gary's family during this time. With love, Terri

Fred Dethloff

September 27, 2013

Dear Lorena and Family,
At this saddest of times I send my most sincere condolences.
Fred Dethloff

Fred Dethloff

September 27, 2013

I was a good friend of Gary during our early youth at St.George School in Affton,Mo.We participated in Scouting together,and also played football at Bishop DuBourg High School in St.Louis.He was always a really nice guy.I didn't see him again until our 40th high school reunion September 7,2013.It was so nice to see my old friend again and meet his lovely wife Lorena,what a wonderful couple.I send my deepest and sincerest condolences to you and your children at this saddest of times. yours,Fred Dethloff

Alfonso De La Torre

September 27, 2013

Dear Lorena,
Words cannot express my feelings toward your loss. Gary was my mentor and someone to look up to. I will never forget his words toward me and the times I spent with his family.

September 26, 2013

Dear Lorena, Paul, Scott, Katherine, (and Ricky),

I am still in state of disbelief at the sudden passing of Gary, a loving husband, father and brother. I am so happy that he and Ricky made it to my brother Michael's 70th birthday party last April. I hadn't seen Gary or all of you since we had dinner here in San Francisco several years ago.

I really regret that I am unable to preside at his Memorial Service at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Know that I will be with you in spirit and that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have said several Masses for him this past week and will continue to pray for him.

I am so grateful for his generosity of providing tickets to Six Flag's in Vallejo for the students of our school, St. Mary's School and Chinese Catholic Center for several years. The students enjoyed their outings to the park. I even went on the rides with them!

From reading articles in the paper and online, I see that he was much admired by his co-workers and his friends. His story of starting out sweeping the sidewalks at the Six Flags in Eureka and to becoming CEO is an inspiration to young people, especially his own children.

Our faith tells us that he is with the Lord where he reunited with his mother and father. He has gone before you to prepare a place for his wonderful and loving family.

God bless all of you.

Love and prayers,
Danny
Fr. Daniel E. McCotter, CSP
Pastor, Old St. Mary's Cathedral/Holy Family Chinese Mission - San Francisco, CA.

Jim Fox

September 26, 2013

I worked with Gary during my time at IAAPA. A finer man I have never met. My condolences.
Jim Fox

Charlotte van Etten

September 26, 2013

Dear Lorena, children and family,

With great sadness we heard the news of the passing of your beloved husband and father Gary Story.

We have come to know Gary as a great, passionate and knowledgeable person in his many capacities in our industry and the IAAPA Board and he will be greatly missed.

Although words can never relieve your pain, we want you to know that our grief, sorrow and prayers are with you.

On behalf of management & staff at Vekoma Rides, we would like to express our sincere condolences and wish you a lot of strength to bear this loss.

Management & Staff
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing
The Netherlands

Debra Townsend

September 26, 2013

To Maureen and Armando Missimore,

I send my deepest and sincere condolences to the passing of your first cousin, Gary. You have talked about him so many times. I know that he is more like a big brother to you. I know that you blessed each other with love. That is what life is all about.

I am here for you at all times.

Love, your friend, Debbie

Sallie Fox

September 26, 2013

Gary was a true gentlemen and very kind. He would call IAAPA and we would always talk before I put him through to the person he was calling.
I would always ask him if he was sitting by his pool. Something he seemed to enjoy.
I will miss those phone calls. Good bless you Gary and I know you are sitting by the pool in heaven

Roxanne Pope

September 26, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family in your time of grief. I am at lost for word, but cannot tell you how special you both are to me.

Kevin, Tina , Nicholas, Angela McCotter

September 25, 2013

Gary was my cousin and he will be missed. His love of life and family was so noticable. This made his passion for work as he always had his family for support.

I am so glad Gary and Lorena came home in April for a family birthday party. It was great to relive those childhood stories. It was always fun when we were terrorizing our GIRL cousin.

We stayed up until 3 AM reliving those family stories.

The thing I missed most was that Gary and I had not stayed in touch over the years. However when he did come home it was like we had not drifted away.

He thought of everyone else first and wanted to take care of them. He was always happy and talking about family.

Looking at all the pictures is truth to that ! He loved everybody!

We need to learn the lessons he left and carry that passion of having family, fun, and a good life.

God Bless you Gary! You are in peace.
We will see that family and friends carry on your love!

Mike & Mary Ann George

September 25, 2013

Lorina and family I'm so sad to hear that my friend Gary has passed away. I prayed Lorena for you and for the children and want you to know that if there's anything that our family can do for you it would be our honor and our privilege. It was so good to meet you and see Gary at the reunion was such an exciting and wonderful time I thank God that I had the opportunity to see Gary again before he was called to heaven. Know that our thoughts love and prayers are with you and your family during this most difficult time. God be with you all.

Mike Immer

September 25, 2013

I would like to express my deepest condolences to Gary's family. I am truly saddened to learn of Gary's passing. We worked together at SFOMA in the 70's both starting in Groundskeeping. Gary was a natural leader who had the ability to relate to everyone. I have fond memories of the many experiences and conversations we shared. I am honored to have known him. Gary's was a life well lived.

September 25, 2013

Gary was a mentor and role model for me at Six Flags but more than that Gary was a friend. I will miss him.
My thoughts and prayers are with Lorena and their children.
Rick McCurley

September 25, 2013

Gary was a classmate of mine and we recently celebrated our 40th class Reunion on September 7th, Gary I wish we had more time to talk that night. Rest in Peace my friend. Our Deepest Sympathy to the entire Story family.
John Kennebeck, Bishop DuBourg Class of '1973'. St. Louis, Missouri

Deanna Byrd

September 24, 2013

Lorena, Please accept my deepest sympathies. Words cannot express the sadness. I hope you find comfort in the many memories.

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