Gary Ray Paxson

Gary Ray Paxson, 81, formerly of Elk City, he went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 14, 1944, in McLeansboro, Illinois to Ray and Billie(Stewart) Paxon.

Gary graduated from Woodward High School in Woodward, Oklahoma 1962, and married Linda Cook. They made their home in Imperial Valley, California and had two children, Stephen in 1967 and Kristina in 1970. They made their way back to Woodward in 1971. He worked as a carpenter and in the oil fields. Gary relocated to Elk City, Oklahoma in 1977 working as a Mud Engineer for Milchem and Totco. He met and married Lynda Carr in 1981. Together, they spent every minute they could on the lakes, water skiing, boating, camping and traveling. Gary would brag that if anyone wanted to ski, they needed to go before him, because once he started skiing, he would go around the lake two or three times. Gary and Lynda also enjoyed square dancing, entering many competitions. Gary and Lynda were very involved in their church, New Liberty. They grew in faith and had a firm foundation in Jesus Christ. He was excited about heaven. They taught the teens and took them to the lake and did other activities. Sunday was about church and serving God and fellowship. Gary was full of The Spirit and never stopped teaching others about Jesus. Gary never met a stranger and gave his testimony to anyone who would listen, often, disappearing for hours at the lake or campsite. He was always excited when he could lead someone to Christ and he wanted everyone to go to heaven.

After a near fatal accident in 1988, Gary went back to school earning a B.S. and M.A. He worked as an Occupational Therapist providing care and compassion to those who were going through the same ordeals that he went through. He also started a Mr. Gutter company. Gary and Lynda enjoyed retirement. They spent their time camping and traveling to all 50 states. They especially enjoyed going to Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wyoming and New York because this is where the grandchildren and great grandchildren lived.

After Lynda's passing, Gary moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to be closer to family. He met Clara and she became a loving, caring and wonderful friend to him. They spent nearly 9 years together and especially enjoyed dancing. Funeral Services will be held, Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Martin-Dugger Funeral Home Chapel, Elk City, Oklahoma. Pastor Brad Hyatt will officiate. Interment with Military honors will be at Fairlawn Cemetery, Elk City, Oklahoma. Services have been entrusted to Richard and Tammy Dugger and the staff of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Elk City, Oklahoma. Gary was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ray and Billie (Stewart) Paxson, his first wife, Linda (Cook) Humphrey and the true love of his life Lynda (Carr) Paxson.

Survivors include his loving children Stephen Paxson and his wife Wei of Edmond, Oklahoma, Kristina Brandle and her husband Jeff of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dana Wilson Hill and her husband Greg of Buffalo, Wyoming, Eldonna Wilson Bonneau and her husband Anthony of Westerlo, New York and loving companion Clara Henry, his sister, Sandra Walrath and husband St. John of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Gary was blessed with two children, two bonus children, seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Memorial Contribution's in Gary's honor can be made to the Calvary Baptist Church in care of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 707, Elk City, Oklahoma 73648.

We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Gary at www.martin-duggerfuneralhome.com. The family would like to invite all that cannot attend to watch the service live on Martin-Dugger Funeral Home and Cremation Services website.