Gary Paul Jackson

Funeral services will be held for Gary Paul Jackson on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 10 a.m. in the Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be officiated by Bro. Earl Sims under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home with Internment following at Resthaven Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The son of Roy and Nora Mae Jackson, Gary was born on October 6, 1937 in Antlers, Okla. where he grew up with his three siblings (Roy Earl, Billy Alec, and Linda Kay).

Gary Paul graduated Antlers High School and devoted a portion of his career serving in the XIX U.S. Army Corps. After his military service, he returned to Antlers and purchased a flower shop. At the County Fair, he had a replica of his flower shop with silk flowers. He had a knack for detail and decorations sending Mother’s Day bouquets to special women in Antlers. One such woman that he met at the County Fair was Wilma Faye Wright. The two of them were married on June 4, 1961. Together, Gary Paul and Wilma moved to McAlester, Okla. where he worked for the Welfare Department. They re-located to Oklahoma City; there he worked at Children’s Hospital and the Department of Human Services, where he later retired.

Gary Paul was known for his creative abilities in art, drawing, and music. He was a skillful pianist for as long as his hands cooperated, and he designed with ease. His yard was his showplace full of trees and floral gardens; he loved having a manicured lawn and well-kept flower beds full of roses, monkey grass, hostas, azaleas, and other plants that beautifully bloomed.

Gary Paul spent his life loving Wilma. The two were inseparable and enjoyed more than 60 years of marriage. Gary Paul and Wilma stayed busy, busy, busy. They volunteered for years at the Christian Service Center. They decorated for bridal services, birthdays, weddings, Christmas parties, baby showers, and other special occasions. Their home was a frequent gathering place for meals and hosting people of all ages.

Gary Paul was baptized at Antlers Church of Christ. He remained faithful in worship service and was a beautiful tenor voice heard on favorite hymns. He loved singing and was a great encourager. He used his creativity and catering skills to help with bulletin boards for children’s Bible classes and with meals for church ladies day programs.

Gary Paul departed this life on Sunday, May 30, 2021 in Oklahoma City at the age of 83. Along with Wilma, he was surrounded by the love and presence of friends who deeply loved him.