Memories of Gary Roy Countryman

In memory of

Gary Roy Countryman

Magnolia, TX

January 19, 1938 - February 16, 2021

Jan 19, 1938 - Feb 16, 2021

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Laurie Wiggins

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Zeke Wimert

Gary's strength of character and passion for staying sober gave me great support for my own sobriety. Plus Gary was just a really nice man. I will miss him.

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Jim Sievert

Karen Anne Byars Hall

Donna Picardi Mulhollan

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Jim Sievert

Karen Anne Byars Hall

Julie Countryman

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Donna Picardi Mulhollan

Gary was an amazing person who I’ve known for many years He continued to smile no matter what was going... Read more Gary was an amazing person who I’ve known for many years He continued to smile no matter what was going on with his life Gary was an amazing person who I’ve known for many ... Read more

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Jim Carney

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Julie Countryman

Joy Criner

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Julie Countryman

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Burnell Jones

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Julie Countryman

Jim Sievert

Gary, when we met nearly 23 years ago, you brought a hopeful light into my life. After more than 10 years of Saturday morning breakfasts, you became a respected mentor to me and my wife cried upon hearing of your passing. While you thought you would be home in Magnolia by Christmas after your quadruple bypass, it was just not to be. Strangely enough you ended up in cardiac rehab only 3 miles from our front door in Katy. I trust that you have rejoined your Peg, and all the wonderful dogs that crossed that rainbow bridge ahead of you. You always made me smile my friend and we hold you in our heart. Yours was a life well lived.

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Julie Countryman

Karen Anne Byars Hall

Jim Sievert

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Julie Countryman

Beth Yeager

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Julie Countryman

Beth Yeager

Gary Countryman was one of the finest men I’ve ever known. I loved his sense of humor, his kindness and his determination to live happy, joyous and free. Gary often took the time to counsel me on life issues, without judgement or rancor. I trusted his sage advice. When our dog died, Gary and Peg sent us a condolence card... and were there to walk us through Abandoned Animal Rescue with our son to pick the perfect new pup. That puppy is 14 now! God’s blessings on your journey, my friend. Thank you for loving me.

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Julie Countryman

Karen Anne Byars Hall

Julie Countryman

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Julie Countryman

My brother Gary was easily the smartest person anyone anywhere would ever meet. In fact, he was smarter than three average people put together, yet he was humble, kind, and grounded.

He was of the Greatest Generation, and was an engineer with 2 master’s degrees, one from MIT, one from Berkeley. It always tickled me that he had to ask for help with his phone and computer. His was the first generation to attend college.

He was blessed with the perfect balance of business and engineering minds. Tough on issues, he put people first. He was kind, gentle, and human.

He volunteered his time to help others in many ways: Boy Scouts, habitat for humanity, abandoned animal rescue, his church, his neighborhood, his friends, and his family.

When he first moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma in the early 60’s, he was a fresh-faced Cherokee from a small agricultural town in California. His parents had immigrated from Oklahoma and Missouri just 30 years earlier during the Great Depression. His dad, Kenny Countryman was born in Indian Territory (now the Cherokee Nation).

His career took him all over the US and around the world. He lived in Cairo and Dubai, flew on the Concord to Paris and in helicopters to offshore drilling platforms 100 miles off the Gulf of Mexico. When the helicopter plunged into the ocean, he helped rescue the crew members and get them to safety.

He was known for understatement to express his wicked sense of humor. After a great meal, he’d proclaim his approval with a wry grin, quoting our grandpa Roy, “it’ll do.” Later he’d head to the fridge with a big spoon to get another bite of grandma’s famous “green crap” jello mold. He spoke Arabic and Spanish, was a member of toastmasters, and Phi Beta Kappa. He had our grandpa’s ears.

He took me on my last trick or treat when I was 12 and got me my first dog that Christmas. He bought me Joy perfume and he told me when he thought I was full of it. He always had my back and my trust.

My voicemail is full of precious 45 second snippets of his sweet voice that I will never delete.

He called me Dooley.

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Jim Sievert

Karen Anne Byars Hall

Comments:

Karen Anne Byars Hall

So true. Humble, kind, gentle and a quite a unique sense of humor. That grin! So true. Humble, kind, gentle and a quite a unique sense of humor. That grin! So true. Humble, kind, gentle and a quite a unique ... Read more

Linda Swindling

Love this! Hadn't heard about the rescue. He and Peggy were perfect for each other in their love of cultures... Read more Love this! Hadn't heard about the rescue. He and Peggy were perfect for each other in their love of cultures and languages. Such... Read more Love this! Hadn't heard about the rescue. He and Peggy... Read more

Kirsten Coleman

Rest in God’s peace, Gary.
What a wonderful and kind man that will be truly missed. The neighborhood just won’t be the same without him.
Condolences to the family.
Ron, Kirsten, Merritt, & Reed Coleman

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