Gary Lee Waddle
1954-2020
Gary Lee Waddle 66, from Edmond, OK. Passed away on Friday October 30, 2020.
He was born May 19th, 1954 in Wichita Falls, TX to Ivan Gary Waddle & Julia Pickard. During his childhood Gary moved around quite a bit. Just some of the places were New York, Delaware, Azores, Idaho, Guam. He graduated from Belleville, IL.
After school he has worked in a variety of industries, the main one being in sales. He has worked for Macklenberg Duncan, Carpet World, Cornelson Flooring, Emser Tile, Shaw Industries. He loved working on and painting cars, playing church softball, and playing the guitar.
He is survived by his wife Charlotte (Rose) Waddle of Edmond. Daughter Tammy Swiggart & Russell Swiggart of Edmond. Grandchildren Rahndi, Avery and Olivia Swiggart. Both his parents Gary Waddle and Julia Pickard. His sister Wanda and Bob Saunders. Sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sharon and Larry Moody. Sister-in-law Sue Peavey. Mother-in-law Billie Rose, Step-brother, Derick Pickard, Step-sister, Cindy O’Kelly. And a plethora of nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Matthews Funeral Home from 2-8 pm with family present from 6-8 pm. Services will be held at Spring Creek Assembly of God 1600 E 15th St Edmond Ok 73013 Thursday @ 2:00pm followed by a graveside service at Gracelawn Cemetery.
I am really going to miss my buddy Gary. Gary was a great Christian man and one of my mentors. Gary taught me about living life to its fullest by honoring and following God. He was best man at my wedding and a very dear friend! He was always displaying a positive attitude and always motivated me to be my best! Thank you Gary for spending with me some of the best years of my life. I treasured your sincere friendship and will miss you dearly.
Gary,
Thank you for always being interested in me and what was going on in my life….business aside. The 25 years I knew you were better than the 25 before, because you were in it. You were such a gentleman who went out of your way to help others. May you rest in the arms of Jesus, in that perfect place where there is no more pain and no more tears. The world is better because you were here.
Charlotte, Janet and I are holding all of your family members up in our thoughts and prayers! Gary was such a Great man of God. The years I was both of you guys Pastor hold great memories for me. The honor I had of performing your marriage ceremony will always be special to me. May God’s love and comfort be yours during this difficult time.
Gary was our rep for many years in Tulsa , he was so great to work with and always willing to help with anything we needed. We are all so sad to hear about his passing , your family is in our thoughts and prayers . Gary we will see you again my friend .
Dear Gary,
I will miss your witty sense of humor. I always loved our greeting of me saying “How’s it going Gary?” You would say “Life in the fast lane.” The days I will miss most is when you come into Don’s Floor Gallery to update your racks but you would also come and mess with my chair. Even when I got a new one I showed you how to mess with that one too. I didn’t want to mess up our routine. I can still picture you now with your favorite shirt on with all those vintage cars on it and me always saying “Man I love your backpack.” It was a simple light gray with black trim backpack with his name stitched into it. Its only been a 4 days that you left us to be with our God but I already miss your presence. Looking through the racks and helping out clients still choke me up inside thinking to my self oh if we are missing a sample I can just contact our rep then I am reminded all over again that you are no longer here. You will truly be missed.
Sincerely,
Your favorite receptionist.
Shenika Hines.
Gary Lee was truly a man of God and I was so proud to be his dad. His smile, sense of humor and cheerful attitude would light up a room when he walked in. He was liked/loved by everyone.
He and Wanda we’re the best kids a parent could ask for. We were truly blessed. We moved all over the world and they just adapted . He was a super dad and always treasured his family and when he became a grandpa, whoa, no one could stop the love for his grand daughters.
When the family was together, the bantering between he and his sister was so fun to listen to and then we would all laugh until tears filled our eyes.
The love we have for him cannot be measured and he will always he missed and remain in our hearts.
Love you
My deepest sympathy to all of his family for their loss. He was such a blessing to my mother (his next door neighbor). His acts of kindness towards her were very much appreciated and our family felt good knowing he was just next door if she ever needed any help.
May your memories comfort you at this difficult time. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Gary was a truly a wonderful man. It has been great having Charlotte and him as neighbors. The last conversation I had with him he reminded me that not to worry about those tree limbs in my yard he was going to help take care of them. This shows his compassion thoughtfulness and kindness. May he Rest In Peace. Sincerely Hazel Leavitt
Gary was the definition of class. He’s one of the highest quality human beings I have ever met. He gave generously of his knowledge, time, and attention. I learned many fun flooring facts from Gary, but my favorite wisdoms were how he taught me to see God. Gary and God were kindredly close to each other.
Gary was something special. His warm presence calmed any daily bustle or worry with peace. What a legacy he leaves. May we all strive to show others the genuine care he so freely gifted.
Gary Waddle was a man to be respected and now I’m glad to see how many are honoring him with such kind and consistent comments about his character. I wish I had the chance to tell him thank you for all you did for us as a rep but even more, you were a friend who cared about each and everyone of us. We could always count on Gary even if he wasn’t going to get credit for a sale, he was always available for valuable input. Most importantly he was a Godly man who reflected his faith through his walk with God. I’m sure he wouldn’t rather come back now to hear all the accolades because he is in paradise!! But still I wish I could tell him thank you!
Gary was a great friend many years ago. Life got in the way and we lost contact. Moving out of state and around the world will do that to some. I just got back from the funeral service. I can tell I missed out by not staying in touch. The service had the most accolades by family and friends of any I’ve ever attended.
When late teens we both liked our cars and driving fast. I was cured of the fast driving by the law enforcement folks. It sounds like Gary still enjoyed it. Good for him!
Some of my favorite memories of Gary include: Canoeing the Illinois River along with Larry, racing his ’64 Chevy Impala SS with my Mustang, going to Casa Bonita after church Sunday’s – side note, Gary would drink serving after serving of chocolate milk while Wanda would tell him he’s going to get sick, us playing on the church softball team, riding in his new Monte Carlo when he got it, and 45 years ago he being a groomsman in my wedding.
I hope to see Gary in glory land someday. He inspired me today. Hopefully that will happen.
If anyone was unable to attend and wanted to see the funeral, here is the link!
http://www.springcreekassembly.com/funeral