Gary Frank Oliver

Gary Frank Oliver passed away from this earth on Friday, June 7th, 2024 at the age of 77. Gary was born to Jay Reavis and Mary McNeal Oliver in Paris, Texas on March 11, 1947 and graduated from Blossom Texas High School in 1965.

Gary was a jack of all trades and lived a colorful life where he dabbled in many different entrepreneurial journeys, including multiple aspects of the horse industry and an array of business ventures over the years including cattle, dairy, drilling, dog kennels, bar ownership, and more. Gary loved racehorses, show horses, and even tinkered in barrel racing as an owner. He really loved a pretty horse and a fast horse. Gary believed that if you were going to own something, anything from horses to working dogs to machinery, then it needed to be the best that money could buy. He was quick witted and could do complicated math problems with ease and without pen and paper right up until he passed. Gary loved to laugh and tell jokes and always had a story to tell no matter the audience. He was full of random facts and an abundance of knowledge that made him the go to for many friends and family members. Gary was a proud Vietnam War Veteran where he served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Army HHC 1st Battalion 69th Armored Division, 4th Infantry, but this was one part of his life he didn't like to tell many stories about. Gary met the "love of his life", Shandra Fawn, 25 years ago in the show horse business. They shared almost 17 years of marriage together that included countless memories and high-quality horses over the years. Gary was a loving and supportive husband, father, and friend but was stubborn through and through.

Gary is survived by his wife, Shandra Tate-Oliver, and her children whom he treated as his own; Destyni Trayler and husband Rantz, their daughter Dantzyn Trayler, and Dakotah Tate. Daughter Krista Haines and husband Gary of The Colony, Texas and their children Parker and Aubrey Haines and Karsen Haines. Daughter Katherine Cass and husband Scott of Paris, Texas and their children Graydon and Amber Cass, Wyatt, Adeline, and Emma Cass, Mary and Dakota Mounce, and Erin Cass. Son Jason Oliver and wife Tabatha of Velma, Oklahoma and their children Logan, Tucker, and Makenna Oliver. Gary is also survived by siblings Kenny and Lisa Oliver of Paris, Texas, Terry Oliver of Detroit, Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Jay Reavis and Mary McNeal, his brothers Wayland Oliver and Bobby Oliver, and numerous close friends and family members lost along the way.

The family is honoring Gary's wish to be cremated and for there to be no funeral services. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be sent in his honor to the Wounded Warrior Project in lieu of flowers.  Cremation services are under the care and direction of Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Healdton. 

"Oh, the last goodbye's the hardest one to say. This is where the cowboy rides away."