Gary Don Robinson was born on June 3, 1949, in Hollis, OK to the union of Carl and Sue
Robinson and passed away October 24, 2023, in Stillwater, OK. He was 74 years old.
Gary grew up in Hollis and was active in football, basketball, and baseball. Although he loved
and excelled at sports, it was his involvement in Mr. Byrd’s vocational agriculture program
where Gary found his passion of raising and showing animals. While in school, Gary asked a
pretty girl named Judy Parker to a school dance, and she said yes. He graduated from high
school in 1967 and began his college studies at Panhandle State University, majoring in
Agricultural Education. On January 24, 1970, he married the pretty girl, Judy, and they settled in
Goodwell, OK where they both continued with school, and Gary found work riding pens and
working cattle. He found great joy riding horses and checking cattle – something he would
cherish the rest of his life.
Once Gary and Judy graduated from college, they moved to Mangum, OK where he taught
agricultural education at Mangum Public Schools and Judy taught as a reading specialist at Sallie
Gillentine Elementary School in Hollis. It was there that they had their first child, Shane. In
1979, Gary was hired to be the agricultural education teacher at Hollis High School, and they
moved to Hollis where they placed their roots and expanded their family with Reid in 1979 and
Beth in 1982.
Gary continued his passion raising Duroc hogs and later Hereford cattle for his children to
exhibit at various livestock shows across the state and country. He taught hundreds of students
the principles of hard work and dedication during his 30-year career as the Ag teacher in Hollis,
and he and Judy attended numerous sporting events and other extra-curricular activities,
supporting their children and the community of Hollis. They were always there to lend a helping
hand with class activities and school functions and loved raising their kids in Hollis.
Later in his life, Gary became a deacon at the Hollis Church of Christ where he faithfully served
for many years. He also became a steady pillar at the Oklahoma Youth Expo, volunteering his
time, doing everything from weighing cattle to helping the OALE students find treasures at the
boneyard (These “treasures” were usually a specific gate or panel that was needed to complete
the setup of a show ring.). No job was too big or small for Gary. Every year, he could be seen
riding around in his golf cart at the fairgrounds helping however he could.
More recently, Gary and Judy found their greatest joy traveling to watch their grandkids play
ball, exhibit livestock, and dance in recitals. They always showed up with their lawn chairs to
watch cattle, hog, and goat shows and kept those lawn chairs in the trunk for the many baseball
games they attended. Even when it became more difficult for Gary to get around, he would find
a way to walk up bleachers to watch his grandkids play basketball.
Gary was a cherished son, husband, brother, dad, granddad, teacher, and friend and a solid and
constant presence to all who knew him. His word meant everything, and his handshake was
genuine. He taught his kids hard work, honesty, and integrity, not so much with his words, but
with his actions. He will be missed by so many.
Gary is survived by his mother, Sue; his wife, Judy; son and daughter-in-law, Shane and Erin
Robinson, and their four children, Parker, Ella, Walker, and Eusie; son, Reid; daughter and son-
in-law, Beth and Tyler Norvell, and their two children, Madilyn and Saylor; brother and sister-
in-law, Ed and Jana Robinson; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Kathy Robinson; and many
nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Robinson.
In lieu of flowers, an Oklahoma Youth Expo scholarship fund has been created in Gary’s
memory. Donation checks can be mailed to: OYE at 21 Land Rush St, OKC, OK 73107. Please
put “Gary R. Memorial” in the memo line.
A special thanks goes to the following people:
Russell Riley – for mowing the grass at mom’s and dad’s house for the past two years
and repairing the sheetrock after their house flooded
Vickie Bullington – for the countless back massages you provided dad each time he came
home
Hollis Public Schools – for the use of the M. L. Lewis Expo Center
Hollis FFA and Perry Shelby – for the setup of the Expo Center
The Legacy Staff – for the love and grace you extended to our parents while they lived in
the facility; you made them feel so special and welcomed
Dr. Trent Mefford – for years of great care and concern for dad’s health and wellbeing
Shawn Parker, B.J. Cummins, and Rick Skorepa – for helping take care of various details
for dad in times of need
Hollis Church of Christ – for extending the love of Christ to our parents and being “the
church” to them
Ron Brown – for your friendship and loyalty to dad at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds
The OYE Family – for allowing mom and dad to continue being part of what they loved
most – working with great kids and livestock – at the World’s Greatest Show
To the countless agricultural education teachers and FFA and 4-H members – for
befriending dad and choosing to participate in the industry he believed was most
important
Finally, to the lifelong friends of mom’s and dad’s – for loving them and supporting them over their years together
The Robinson family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Harmon County Funeral Home Hollis, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 30, 2023, at M.L. Lewis Expo Center, (at the corner of North 2nd and Walnut) Hollis, Oklahoma.
Interment will follow at McKnight Cemetery.
To send flowers in memory of Gary Don Robinson, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
29
Oct
417 E. Broadway
Hollis, OK 73550
Funeral
30
Oct
North 2nd and Walnut
Hollis, OK 73550
Cemetery Details
Location
North of Hollis, OK 73550
Hollis, OK 73550
