Gary Dean Cody

Gary Dean Cody, age 68, passed into the loving arms of his Lord unexpectedly at home on February 17, 2013. He was born August 29, 1944 in Kansas City, Missouri to Robert and Susie Coody.

Gary graduated from Beggs High School in Oklahoma where he exceled in both academics and athletics. Upon high school graduation, he attended Connors College where he played football and then transferred to University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Before his transfer, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served two tours in the Vietnam War.

He was honorably discharged after his second tour. While in the Army, he received several awards and medals. Upon leaving the military, he then continued his education and began his lifelong career in civil service.

His first venture of civil service was at the Texas State Welfare Department. He then worked for several years as a drug and alcohol counselor, a child protective services social worker, and a Long Range tactic advisor for the US Military.

After receiving his second Master's Degree in Hospital Administration, he went to work for William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. He then transferred to Rocky Boy Indian Hospital in Montana. While working as a Hospital administrator at the Anadarko Indian Health Facility, he became a Certified Nursing Home Administrator through the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners.

For a short time after retirement, he continued his civil service as a budget coordinator at the Texas Department of Human Services in Austin and worked for several years as a vocational teacher at Ellison High School in Killeen.

Gary was a loving husband and dedicated father and grandfather. He loved and lived for the Lord and was very involved in his faith. He was an avid Oklahoma Sooner fan and loved the game of football. He had an infectious smile and a contagious laugh.

Gary married the love of his life, Susan Pavoggi, on August 6, 1977 in El Paso, Texas and they spent 35 wonderful years together.

He is survived by his mother, Anna Shier, his sisters Patricia Smith and Kathy Calvert, his wife Susan and his children James Maddux and wife Niki, his daughter Je'Ann Cody Whitaker and husband Michael, his daughter Rachel Cody Franklin and husband Derek and his son Jeremy Cody.

His grandchildren are Samantha Maddux Gross and her husband Jon, Adison Maddux, Kaden Franklin, Morgan Whitaker and Kody Franklin.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Bibb, Robert Coody and Susie Coody, his brothers Buddy Ray Witt and Sonny Coody and sister Helen McKillips.
He was loved and will be missed by his family and his many friends.

Visitation will be on Thursday, February 21, 2013 from 6pm-8pm at Crawford- Bowers Funeral Home of Killeen. Funeral services will be held at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home of Killeen on Friday, February 22, 2013 at 1 pm. Burial will follow immediately at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, with Military honors.

Please share condolences with the Cody family by visiting www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com