Gary Lee Fenn Obit

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Gary Lee Fenn
Mar 31, 1944 - Sep 10, 2025
Posted by Terry Dudley

Gary Lee Fenn, 81, of Ardmore, OK, was born on March 31, 1944, in Greenville, PA to the late Gordon Harlin Fenn and Blanche Grace (Snyder) Fenn. He passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in Sherman, TX.

After graduating high school, Gary entered the military serving with the United States Air Force. He had received his associate’s degree in accounting and finance, which led to him being a very meticulous flight crew member that led him around the world. He served in locations such as Alaska, Guam, Vietnam, and Iran. Stateside, he served in several locations such as Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, SD, Westover AFB in Springfield, MA and Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, TX.

It was at Ellsworth AFB that Gary met the love of his life. She was a little bouncy blonde schoolteacher who instructed his children named Jennifer Jean McKinney. They dated for a while and married on August 7, 1977, in Rapid City, SD.

The family moved to Fort Worth where Gary was still active at Carswell AFB. It was during this time that Gary’s father-in-law offered him a job back in southern Oklahoma that allowed the family to move to Marietta. This also allowed him to retire from the United States Air Force after 22 years as a B-52 crew chief. After that career move, he ended up continuing to use his valuable skills and discipline from the military and trained to work at Big 5 Community Services, where he also worked for 22 years, as the Director of Housing Rehabilitation.

Although Gary was now living in Sooner country, he never gave up on his beloved Ohio State University Buckeyes. He was a lifelong fan of them but had also grown fond of being a Sooner. Gary’s sports life also involved the golf course, where he loved the game so much, he ended up working at the Lake Murray golf course. He maintained the greens and fairways to the best specifications he knew. Jennifer and Gary would travel all over the state to play golf, or at least Gary would play, and Jennifer would be his caddie/cart girl. After 17 years as a part-time seasonal worker, Gary officially retired from the golf course.

Gary and Jennifer also loved to travel, a lot of times on escorted bus tours, and had been to Italy, Spain and Portugal to name a few. They also enjoyed taking the kids camping and boating, or anything outside. Gary loved the outdoors so much, even spending time at home working on chores was not work for him.

Gary loved the Lord, and recently had attended First Baptist Church in Ardmore, whether he could attend in person or watch the services on TV.

Preceding Gary in death are his father, mother, and stepfather, George Grimes; brothers, Gordon Fenn and Rudy Grimes; and a sister, Grace Ann Bozmoff.

Left to cherish Gary’s memory are his wife Jennifer of the home; sons, Ret USN Donald “Donnie” Fenn of Pensacola, FL, and David Michael McComber of Marietta; daughters, Carrie Lou Dodd of Ardmore, OK, JoAna Lee Willis and husband James of Enville, OK, Lisa Jeanne McComber of Oklahoma City, OK, and Jessica Nicole Hakes of Ardmore; grandchildren, the ones who called their grandfather “The Bull”, Abby Mae Brannan of Marietta, Alissa E. Harris and husband Brett of Marietta, Alexia Jean Thompson of Blanchard, OK, Andrea Jordan Garcia and wife E-5 Marina of Atsugi, Japan, Jenna Layne McComber of Marietta, Delaney Aust of Marietta, Garrett T. Fenn and fiancé Francis Caraballo-Quinones of Orange Beach, AL, Brandon Lloyd Walker and wife Brooke of Alexis, IL, E-4 , Sr. Airman Colton Walker and wife Taylor of Haughton, LA, and E-4, Sr. Airman Logan Jamaal Fenn and wife Claire of Surprise, AZ; great-grandchildren, Garyn Germany, Yulani Garcia, Kyler Thompson, Joyner Thompson, Colter Harris, Brooks Walker and Rhett Walker; beloved pets, Mercedes Fenn and Benjamin Fenn; brother, Harlan “Buzz” Fenn and wife Cathy of Middlesex, PA; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Gary’s life celebration will be on at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, September 20, at the First United Methodist Church in Marietta with Dr. Alton Fannin officiating and Rev. Dr. Stephen Davis assisting. Interment with military honors will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery in Marietta. A time of visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home in Marietta.

Casket bearers will be Eugene Johnson, Nick Blanton, Johnny Faulkner, Michael Gates, Brett Harris and Larry Fiaferlick. Honorary casket bearers will be Garrett Fenn, Brandon Walker, Colton Walker, Logan Fenn, Kyler Thompson, Joyner Thompson, Colter Harris, Brooks Walker and Rhett Walker. Honorary dog will be Bentley Fenn.

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