Gary Wayne Burleson, a beloved-wonderful husband, dad, PaPaw, son, uncle, brother, and friend, went to his heavenly home on February 12, 2026, at the age of 57, in Durant, Oklahoma. He was born on January 7, 1969, in Denison, Texas, to Murrell and Connie Burleson.
Gary, a proud 1987 honor graduate of Calera High School, continued to be involved and supported FFA, 4-H, and debate teams. He obtained his first bachelor’s degree from SOSU in Chemistry, with a Computer Science minor. He enjoyed photography and filmed many weddings, parties, and events, including celebrations for the 100th Year of Boy Scouts and the Miss Oklahoma beauty pageants. Gary loved tinkering with things and built several computers for family, friends, and coworkers. He worked for the USDA for eight years. He left the USDA plant in Georgia to return to the couple’s home state, Oklahoma, to be closer to his family and friends where he continued working as a chemist in the private sector. He assisted in some of the research and clean-up from the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
Gary loved the Lord and his family with all his might. He was very compassionate and would do anything he could to help anyone in need. He served as Scoutmaster for years helping boys earn their badges and several obtain Eagle Scout, including his sons. He worked for the Miss Oklahoma pageants, setting stage, lighting, and photography, and was proud of the titles his daughter achieved. Always compassionately reminding his wife and family of his love for them, he recently placed a lock on the bridge in San Antonio with the Song of Solomon 4 describing the love he had for his wife.
Gary obtained a second bachelor’s degree from ECU in nursing. He was an excellent nurse dedicated to giving his patients the best possible care. Gary, being a 1 Timothy 4:12 and Psalm 1:1-3 man, loved the Lord and shared his love and devotion to God throughout his career passionately caring for his patients. This love was very evident throughout north Texas and southern Oklahoma, for doctors, patients, their families and staff would comment on the excellent commitment to the best care he showed them and their loved ones.
Gary called a mutual friend one day to ask about a girl he met at the SOSU Student Bible Center, she said, “Oh, I can do better than that, she’s over here at my house—here just talk to her yourself!” It was love at first sight/date, and the rest is history! He married that girl, the love of his life, Cynthia Smith on December 21, 1991, of which he is survived by and has cherished since the day they met, of the home. God blessed them with three outstanding children, all being the apple of their daddy’s eye, daughter, Tabitha KayLyn Burleson, Anna, Texas; sons: Brandon Wayne, wife Hannah Burleson, of Armstrong, and Andrew Marcus-Wayne, wife Jennifer Burleson, of Durant. It blessed Gary to have two daughters-in-law who love the Lord! Gary was ecstatic when he was told he was going to be a grandpa! PaPaw’s grandbabies are Levi Burleson and Lily Burleson, of Armstrong. He is also survived by his mother, Connie Burleson, Calera, sister Angela Burleson, brother Cary Burleson, and adopted sister Sue Thorstad, of Durant; sister-in-law, LaDawnya, husband Steve Wallace, Greenville, Texas; nephews William Wallace, Greenville, Texas, and Pierce Chaney, Silo; nieces Angel Burleson, Kingston, and Amber Paker, Durant; along with many other family and friends.
Gary had the mind of an engineer, designing and overseeing houses built, running the entire electricity himself, and was always fixing things, especially electronics; he knew his cars and motors also. Gary was versed in all genres of music, with rock-n-roll as his favorite. In fact, his Valentine’s card had tickets to the upcoming AC/DC concert. He also shared a love for southern gospel with his wife. They attended and enjoyed many concerts with Gaither’ Homecomings their favorite. Gary shared a deep love and appreciation for God’s creation, enjoying fishing, environmental awareness, and national parks (wanting to visit all 51 [1993] as their retirement/bucket list). He visited 36 with his family.
Tragedy struck in 2007 when Gary was struck by a car running a red light. His life was spared; however, it left him in a very painful disposition. His health year after year worsened; however, he kept his nursing license up to date, for he held strongly to the Word if it was God’s will, he would be healed. He has now received his healing! 2 Timothy 4:6-8 – “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Gary is preceded in death by his father, Murrell Wayne Burleson, paternal grandparents, Kenneth Wayne “Pappy” and Oleta Bennett Burleson; maternal grandparents, Lawrence and Estelle Cole; fishing buddy/father and mother-in-law, Wayne and Sandy Smith, sister-in-law, Dana Lynn Smith.
A visitation will be held at Holmes-Coffey-Murray, Durant, Thursday, from 6-8 p.m. A celebration of life will be held Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Armstrong Baptist Church, where Gary was a member. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Center Hill Cemetery in Kenefic, Oklahoma. Pastors Phillip Stephens and Monty Wood will officiate the services . Those serving as pallbearers are Tabitha Burleson, Brandon Burleson, Andrew Burleson, Angel Burleson, Corey Prentice, and Charles Grace.
Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”