Obituary for Gale McArthur

Gale Eugene McArthur

March 6, 1929 – January 2, 2020

At the age of 90, Gale Eugene McArthur joined his family in heaven on January 2, 2020. Gale was born on March 6, 1929 and was one of five children born to Everett and Mattie Darden McArthur. Gale is survived by his beloved younger brother, Donnie McArthur.

We will celebrate Gale’s life at 2 PM on Friday, January 10, 2020 at the First Baptist Church of Ponca City in the Chapel. Arrangements under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.

Gale spent his early years in Sharon, OK, surviving the great depression, and then moved with his family to Mangum, OK in 1945. He graduated from Mangum High in 1947, excelling academically and athletically. He was named to All-State teams in Baseball, Football and Basketball, becoming the first three-sport all-state athlete in Oklahoma history. He was also honored as the Most Valuable Player of the All-State Basketball Game.

Gale was recruited by colleges nationwide but chose to commit to the Oklahoma A & M basketball program under the coaching of Mr. Henry Iba. Gale was a key contributor to two Final Four seasons in 1949 and 1951. Following the ’51 season, he was named All-American and was featured on the cover of LOOK magazine. Mr. Iba was a coach, mentor, friend and second father to Gale. They remained close until Mr. Iba’s death in 1993. Though Gale was drafted by the NBA upon graduation from college, he chose to serve in the military for the Air Force from 1951 to 1953, where he achieved the rank of Captain. On September 21, 1951, Gale married his first love, Martha Ann Evans. Following his discharge from the Air Force, he graduated from Baylor Dental School and St. Louis School of Orthodontics. Gale and Marty chose to make their home in Ponca City. Gale practiced orthodontics in the community for 43 years, served on the Board of the Pioneer National Bank and the Ponca City Country Club and won the Cherokee Strip Golf Classic.

Throughout his life, Gale continued to support Oklahoma State athletics and enjoyed ongoing relationships with his college teammates. In 1998, Gale joined his old teammates and played in the National Senior Olympics with his entire family in attendance and cheering loudly. He loved playing golf, fishing, traveling, hunting and spending family time at Grand Lake. One of his greatest pleasures and talents was training bird dogs and watching them work on the hunt. Gale and Marty also enjoyed entertaining and were well known for their annual OSU-OU Pep Rally on the eve of the Bedlam game.

Over the 18 years between 1952 and 1970, Gale and Marty had five children. The youngest, baby Martha, was laid to rest on April 19, 1970. Marty was laid to rest on June 13, 2003. Gale is survived by his son Kendall Allen McArthur and wife Johnna; son Kelly Keith McArthur; daughter Dana Gale McArthur; and son Gale Eugene McArthur, II and wife Tracy. Gale was also blessed with grandchildren Kendall Allen (Hank) McArthur Jr. and wife Bridgette; Tyler Wayne McArthur and wife Michelle; Sara Ann McArthur; Kelly Danielle McArthur; Kacy Kendall Guajardo; Anna Grace (Annie) Guajardo; Timber Rae McArthur; Carlie McArthur Hart and husband Gaston; Martha Joann (Josie) McArthur and Gale Eugene (Tres) McArthur, III. Gale’s greatest joy came in knowing his great-grandchildren Martha McKera McArthur and Wade Allen McArthur.

Gale was blessed with a second love when he met Myrlene Goodno and he quickly made her his bride on October 22, 2006. Gale loved and enjoyed Myrlene’s family as his own. He is survived by Myrlene McArthur of the home; Darrel Pitts and wife Clara; grandchildren Katie and Rachel Pitts; Steven Pitts and wife Patricia; step-grandchildren Bill and Liz Farley, Christopher Farley and Brian Farley. Gale was welcomed into the Goodno extended family in the Ponca City community. He loved and cared for them greatly.

Gale lived a life of integrity, loyalty and love. He was the consummate gentleman and family man. He will be greatly missed.

Source: Trout Funeral Home