GARY LYNN PORTER

1946 - 2024

GARY LYNN PORTER Gary Lynn Porter was born to his loving parents, Leonard Edwin and Rosella Elizabeth Porter, in Bartlesville, OK, on February 18, 1946. Gary was the only child, and he was showered with love and attention throughout his parents' lives. He reciprocated their love and kindness to everyone. Gary departed this earth on July 17, 2024. Gary is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 53 1/2 years, Mary; the apple of his eye, his son Martin; his daughter-in-law Vanessa; and his two granddaughters , Elizabeth and Victoria, the beautiful future of the family. Gary was successful in every endeavor he undertook including academic degrees, professional work, business activities, and family life. Gary completed pharmacy school at Southwestern State College in Weatherford, OK. His next academic acquisition was an MBA, master of business administration, from Oklahoma City University. Next, he decided to work toward and obtain a Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, in Adult and Continuing Education from the University of Oklahoma. Finally, he obtained a law degree, Juris Doctorate, from the University of Oklahoma. Gary was recognized and honored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce as one of Three Outstanding Young Men in Oklahoma. While he was nominated for the honor of the Outstanding Young Man in the United States, he was not awarded this title as it went to Elvis Presley. In his professional life he practiced pharmacy, ran several businesses, and practiced law during the course of his life. Gary showed leadership qualities as a child and continued those skills in his adult life. Gary served as President of his college pharmacy fraternity, Phi Delta Chi. He served as an ambassador of the Chamber of Commerce in Elk City and the President of his Rotary Club in Elk City. Gary was awarded a multiple-time Paul Harris fellow recipient for Rotary International. Gary and the family were involved in providing care to patients from 1979 until retirement in 2022. Caring for people was a calling for Gary and his family. He was an ardent advocate in gaining access to care for all who had health needs. Gary served as President of the Oklahoma State Nursing Home Association for many years providing oversight for methods to enhance excellent practices for patients and guidance for providers in their delivery of care to the most vulnerable in the population. When Gary was associated with Southwestern State College School of Pharmacy as a faculty member, he was responsible for developing a continuing education program to facilitate licensure requirements for pharmacists. This was an enormous task as it was an inaugural program which would affect every pharmacist involved in the profession. Gary was up to the task, and his concept of how to obtain continuing education for professional licensure is still used. Gary was a religious man who believed in a higher power and the reality that God has a plan for all of us. He lived his beliefs every day by showing love and compassion to everyone with whom he came in contact. Demonstrating his care for others, Gary helped many people achieve their educational and professional goals by extending a helpful hand to them or providing meaningful advice. Gary will be remembered fondly for his humility, his kindness, his love of life, and his wonderful sense of humor. Gary loved travel, spending time with family and friends, learning new skills and concepts, and enjoying every facet of his existence. Gary was very proud of his Oklahoma heritage and enjoyed following his beloved Sooners and The Thunder. We will miss his intelligence, common sense, passion for integrity and ethical conduct, his love for his family and friends, and his genuine curiosity coupled with his love for learning. A Celebration of Life for Gary will be held July 23, 2024 2:00PM at Crossings Community Church Chapel.