Gary Clayton LaValley was born September 13, 1940, to Clinton and Lula (Brandon) LaValley, at the Benedict School Teacherage on the Seminole/ Hughes County line. Gary passed from this life October 23, 2021, in his home.
Gary grew up in the Holdenville area attending Jackson Grade School, where his dad Clinton was principal. He then attended Holdenville school his freshman year. The family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, during his Sophomore and Junior year where Gary became the starting quarterback for the second largest high school in the nation, Phoenix Union High School. After moving back to Oklahoma, Gary attended and graduated high school from Pauls Valley.
After high school, Gary attended East Central State University in Ada, OK, where he met his pretty blue-eyed bride, JoAnn (Fidler) LaValley. The two were married January 25, 1963. Gary and JoAnn taught at several schools before moving to Tulsa, where Gary worked as a computer programmer for American Airlines. From there they moved to Wewoka and taught school before Gary purchased LaValley's Dry Goods from his dad, Clinton, in Holdenville. Later Gary taught at Holdenville High School and became a principal in 1985. He loved Holdenville and being a Wolverine. Gary retired in 1998 but always kept up with his Wolverines.
Gary was a long-time member of the East Main Church of Christ. He served as a deacon and later as an elder.
He loved family, fishing, gardening, teaching Bible class, telling stories of his college days, sports, and following his grandchildren all over the nation, watching them play ball.
Gary is survived by his wife Joann of 57 years; four sons, Jay and wife Shelly of Henryetta, OK; Tim and wife Krystal of Choctaw, OK; Joe and wife Renee of Choctaw, OK; and Casey and wife Kim of Holdenville, OK, sister, Loretta Bennett and family of Austin, TX, and sister Sharon and husband Johnny Tate of Oklahoma City, OK.
Fifteen grandchildren, Mickey and husband Jake, Chelsea and husband Brad, Carson and wife Rebecca, Carter, Zadie, Timilyn, Journi, Whitt, Gavin and wife Sierra, Audrie, Nina, Abigail, Manuel, Clinton, and Clayton.
Four great grandchildren, Archie, J.J., Baker and Cameron and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by his sister Patsy and brother-in-law Frank Habern, of Lewisville, TX, sister Joy and Robert S. Herring of Jenks, OK, and baby brother Lewayne of Holdenville.
Visitation will be 5:00pm-7:00pm Tuesday, October 26, 2021 Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home.
Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday October 27, 2021 at the East Main Church of Christ in Holdenville with Kevin Wright officiating.
Pallbearers are Gavin LaValley, Carson LaValley, Carter LaValley, Manuel LaValley, Clinton LaValley, Clayton LaValley and Whitt LaValley.
Interment will follow at Holdenville Cemetery, Holdenville, Oklahoma.
Donations may be made to: Tipton Children's Home, 1000 N Broadway, Tipton, OK 73570 or Holdenville Public Schools Activity Fund, 210 Grimes, Holdenville, OK 74848.
Services are under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home, Holdenville, Oklahoma.