Gary Dean Jones, 79, of Sand Springs, Oklahoma went home to his Father on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He was surrounded by his family and special loved ones. Gary's final care has been entrusted to Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service of Sand Springs.

Gary was born on July 18, 1944, to Gordon E. and Jesse Irene (Dial) Jones in Clinton, Oklahoma. Shortly after, the family moved to Mangum, Oklahoma where he grew up and graduated from Mangum High School in 1962. While at MHS Gary excelled at football, baseball, basketball and played in the band. He enjoyed doing all the small-town things like going to school dances, driving around the town square and spending every Sunday evening with his friends at Mom-and-Pop Hulsey's house, their class parents. Following high school graduation, Gary was offered the opportunity to play baseball professionally, however, he chose to get an education and went to Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma on a football scholarship. He played running back and was a four-year letter winner in both football and track. He received his BS in Education in 1966 and his master's degree in 1970.

After college he took his first teaching and coaching job with Madill Public Schools in Madill, Oklahoma. He coached junior high and high school football, basketball and track. It was there he met and married the love of his life, Jan. In 1973, LD Bains had come to Miami, Oklahoma from Hugo, Oklahoma to coach football. He was told by the superintendent to "pick his staff". He replied he was "waiting to hire the best young coach I have ever seen". That was Gary. He moved his family, that now included two young daughters from Madill to Miami that summer and spent the next 10 years as a Wardog. While at Miami he served as the offensive coordinator, head baseball coach and assistant basketball coach. Some of the best years of his career were spent there. During his time there he received many accolades including being named the 1982 All-State baseball coach for the East team. He also began to officiate high school basketball while in Miami. He did this for over 25 years. He would spend the winter travelling all over the tri-state area to schools large and small two to three times a week calling boys and girls games as well as tournaments. Three times in his career he was selected to officiate in the State Tournament. He was very proud of his time as a referee and would often brag that he could count on one hand the number of technical fouls he issued. Gary also took the time to coach his daughter's softball team, Stacked Deck. In the summer of 1987, they qualified for the national tournament in Sioux Falls, SD. He couldn't go due to the start of football practice. Always the "perfect coaches' wife" Jan loaded up and drove her across the country to play. They were definitely a team in all sense of the word!

In 1983 LD and his staff moved to Sand Springs, Oklahoma where Gary would eventually retire from. In his 19 years at Charles Page High School, he served as offensive coordinator, secondary coach, running back coach, and spent 7 years as the head baseball coach. Awards he received while at CPHS were 1987 Tulsa World Baseball Coach of the Year, 1988 NEOBCA Coach of the Year and 1988 Frontier Conference Baseball Coach of the Year. Besides coaching, Gary was an outstanding teacher who enjoyed being in the classroom. He taught social studies and history and was certified in AP World History. Many former students have shared they can still recall lessons he gave on World Wars, ancient civilizations and the annual lecture before the prom on how boys were to treat their dates!

Following retirement, Gary enjoyed watching all his grandchildren's activities whether it was a game, dance recital or school program. He could always be found sporting a hat, sweatshirt or t-shirt of any of the teams his grandkids played for. They were good for a conversation starter so he could brag on their accomplishments! He also loved to golf and enjoyed playing weekly with his Christian men's group. He would call his daughters after a good round or especially when he won that week's prize money. He was also very particular about his yard and liked working to keep it nice no matter how many trips to Lowe's that involved!

Left to carry on Gary's memory are his daughters: Kendra and her husband, Scott McLemore of Richmond, Texas, and Cori and her husband, Rick Risener of Salado, Texas; six grandchildren: Tyler Smith and his wife, Savannah, Shelby Whitecotton and her husband, Tyler, Brody McLemore and his fiancé, Faith, Emma Cunningham, Wyatt Cunningham and Jake Risener; four great grandchildren: Ryan and Beau Smith, Kenasyn and Kru Whitecotton; and very special niece, Kelly Brown. He is also survived by his best buddy and loyal companion, Buster. The family would like to thank our special friend, Kelle Roberts, for taking Buster in and giving him the best life like Gary would want. We would also like to show our gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff of both Ascension St. John's in Tulsa and Cornerstone Hospital in Broken Arrow for the care they provided him in his final days. Their compassion was above and beyond.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jan; and his brothers: Kalvin and Don.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gary's memory to the following: St. Bede's Episcopal Church Angel Projects, (6960 W. Old Keystone Rd, Cleveland, OK 74020), Sand Springs Education Foundation (www.sandspringseducationfoundation.com) or the L.D. Bains Foundation (www.ldbainsfoundation.com)

The celebration of Gary's life will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 601 Lake Dr, Sand Springs, OK 74063 beginning at 11:00am. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.