Gary Dean Lay

Gary Dean Lay, whom his friends and family knew as BigDog, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025 in Oklahoma City at the age of 61. Dean was born on December 4, 1963 in Holdenville, OK to Earl Dean Lay and Alice Jolene (Conley) Conger. He and his siblings grew up back and forth between Holdenville, Oklahoma and Boise, Idaho. Dean married Rhonda Laudermilk on September 6, 1988 in Boise, Idaho. 

Dean was a man that loved his wife and children more than himself. He enjoyed riding with his wife on bikes through the mountains of Arkansas. Dean enjoyed floating the river with his friends. He enjoyed watching the sunrise at the beach. He loved taking his family to church. He was a very proud dad. His heart was broken when he lost his son, Ryen two years ago but he continued on for his princess, Rena and his wife. Dean found joy in riding his motorcycle, going to bike rallies, hunting and shooting guns. Most of all he loved doing anything with his family.  

Dean is survived by his wife, Rhonda Lay; daughter, Rena Lay; sister, Tresa Stetzel; brother-in-law, Darrin Laudermilk; and many other family and friends.

Dean was preceded in death by his father, Earl Dean Lay; mother, Alice Jolene Conger; son, Ryen Dean Lay and two brothers, Robert Lay and Delbert Lay. 

A celebration of Dean’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma with Rev. Don Hunter officiating. Cremation services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.