Obituary for Gary Kirchmeyer

Gary Paul Kirchmeyer

July 19, 1941 – September 23, 2019

Surrounded by his family, Gary Paul KIrchmeyer passed away peacefully on Monday, September 23, 2019 in Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma City. He was born July 19, 1941 in Attleboro, Massachusetts, son of Arthur and Mildred (Nauman) Kirchmeyer.

A rosary service will be held on Sunday, September 29, at 6:00 pm in the Chapel of Trout Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10:00 am Monday, September 30 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery where he will receive military honors.

Gary moved to Ponca City at an early age and attended McKinley and Roosevelt grade schools, East Jr. High School, and graduated from Ponca City High School in the Class of 1959. He played football and baseball for the Po-Hi Wildcats.

After graduating from Po-Hi, Gary attended Cowley County Jr. College in Arkansas City, Kansas on a football scholarship. He transferred to Oklahoma State University and was accepted as a walk-on to the OSU football team. When his parents were living in Manila, Philippines, he lived with them and played on a university league baseball team. He was an instant hit with his teammates and was very popular.

Gary served in the US Army as a Hercules Missile Crewman, stationed in Germany, from 1963-1965.

Later, he worked in promotional advertisement for Alvin Clayman Enterprises, Kansas City, Kansas until his retirement. Gary loved animals and founded and operated LeBaron Cattery, breeding and showing Scottish Fold cats.

Gary was a fun-loving person and lived life to the fullest on his own terms. His nieces, Leanne Smith Parr and Kristin Smith, remember him as their “Fun Uncle,” who gave them rides on his motorcycles and took them for rides in his T-bird convertible with the top down. He bought them stuffed animals much larger than they were and was always on their side.

He was an avid sports fan. He followed the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and Oklahoma State University sports. He developed a love for golf and enjoyed the game immensely. One of his favorite memories was winning a golf tournament in Kansas City. The prize was playing 18 holes of golf while being tutored by pro golfer Tom Watson on Watson’s private course. Gary and Watson played several games of golf together after that.

Gary returned to Ponca City as a resident of Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to be closer to his family. His attitude was always positive, and he enjoyed talking with all those who worked there.

Gary was preceded in death by his father and mother, Arthur and Mildred Kirchmeyer. He is survived by his sister, Beverly Smith; nieces, Leanne Smith Parr and her husband, Stephen, and Kristin Smith and her husband, Don Bohon; great-nephews, Matthew Parr and Luke Bohon and great-nieces, Katherine Parr and Rheagan Bohon, all of Ponca City. He is also survived by several cousins and numerous friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Source: Trout Funeral Home