Gary Omer Wilburn

Gary Omer Wilburn, Quinton, Oklahoma resident, passed away November 21, 2022, at the age of 74 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born February 14, 1948, in Springhill, Louisiana to Reu Omer Wilburn and Geri (Hulsey) Wilburn. He was a high school graduate and received his bachelor’s, master’s, and Master of Divinity degrees. Gary married Evelyn Marie Bevier on April 11, 1968, in Springhill, Louisiana. He attended Southwestern University in Waxahachie, Texas, Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana, NOVA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Phillips Seminary in Enid, Oklahoma and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Gary is survived by his wife of 54 years, Evelyn Wilburn of Quinton, Oklahoma, daughters; Rebekah Ford of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Amanda Wilburn of Enid, Oklahoma, his brother Kenneth Wilburn, his sister Carolyn Spivey and her husband Mike, grandchildren; Teighlor Carter, Colton Scheulen, Tracy Walker, Ashlyn Driver, Ryland Owens, Dakota French, Peyton Walker and Chloe Ford and great-grandchildren; Shaylen Carter, Grayson Scheulen and Fynlee Carter. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Samuel Wilburn.

Gary was a Methodist Clergy for 25 years and pastored several churches in Oklahoma including, Peggs, Chouteau, Hunter, Morris, Seminole, Quinton and Canadian. He was a houseparent for 3 years at Hillcrest children’s Home in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was a houseparent for 4 years and in administration for 9 years at the Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston, Louisiana. He was an administrator for 9 years at the OK Methodist Boy’s Ranch in Gore, Oklahoma. In his spare time, Gary enjoyed genealogy, reading and working crossword puzzles.

Gary received many awards including the Clifton D. McKoy Employee of the year from the Circle of Care in 1992, the George Parlier Award from the Oklahoma Association of Children’s Institution and Agencies and the Melvin Jones Fellow from the Lion’s Clubs International.

Gary was a board member of CJAMM-Criminal Justice Ministry, a dean for 18 years at New Day Camp, President from 1992-1993 of OACIA, the Oklahoma Association for Children’s Institution and Agencies, member of the Lion’s Club where he was district Governor from 2007-2008 and 2009-2010, Lion’s Club Boys Ranch board member, Seminole Library board member, Wesley Foundation NSU board member, was a mentor for Probational Clergy of the United Methodist Church, was on numerous district and state boards for the Methodist Church and was a charter member of the United Methodist Historical Society.

Funeral services for Gary will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Henryetta, Oklahoma with Dylan Ward officiating and Betsy Stewart-Dooley and April McPheron assisting. Burial will follow at Westlawn Cemetery in Henryetta.

Casket bearers will be Ryland Owens, Malachi Herring, Tyson Sustaire, Colton Scheulen, Gage Lowrimore and Caden Williams. Honorary bearers will be Jason Spivey, Joey O’Neil, Chris Ferguson and Dakota French.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.