Obituary for Leonard Gawel

Leonard (Len) Joseph Gawel

April 1, 1936 – October 29, 2018

Len Gawel, age 83, passed away October 29, 2018 at the Ponca City Nursing Home.

Len was the only child of Joseph Jacob Gawel & Melvina Bukowski Gawel. He was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada into a large Polish Canadian family.

Len was the first of his extended family to graduate from high school and university (B.S., M.S. & Ph.D)

After high school graduation, Len went to Michigan State on a hockey scholarship. Len attended the University of California at Berkeley and found his college home at Oregon State University, graduating with a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Biochemistry.

Len married Kay in McMinville, Oregon. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.

Len began his research career with Conoco Oil Company in 1965 concentrating on research. Moving on to Production Research as a group leader. Len had several patents for his work and attained the position of Senior Research Scientist. After Conoco Len started “BioRem” Environmental Remediation.

Len was a member of the Noon Lions Club and for 14 years he headed the magnacam project for people who had Macular Degeneration.

Len is survived by his wife Kay. Son, Drue Gawel of Dallas, TX; daughter, Sloan (Hugo) Monsanto of North Richland Hills, TX; son, Ryan (Payam Ghassemou) Gawel; grandchildren, Christian and Tyler Monsanto. Len (known as Grampy to his grandchildren) enjoyed giving hugs and spending time with them.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Len’s name to St. Mary’s Catholic School Foundation at 415 S. 7th Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Rosary will be Friday, Nov 2nd, 6pm at Trout Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov 3rd, 10am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 415 S 7th St, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home