Gary Dale Helt passed away at his home Northwest of Kingfisher on Friday, July 9, 2021 at the age of 76. Gary was born to Dale M. Helt and Elvena (Thomsen) Helt on Sunday, November 19, 1944. He was raised on a dairy farm Northwest of Kingfisher.

Gary graduated from Kingfisher High School in May of 1962. During his high school years he was very active in FFA serving as an officer and earning the degrees of State Farmer, State & Regional Star Dairy Farmer and American Farmer.

On July 19, 1963 he married his High School sweetheart, Kayleen Harrison, in Pampa, TX. They would have celebrated their 58th anniversary this year. To that marriage were born two children, Tena Kaye and Tary Dale.

In the early years of their marriage, he continued to work at the dairy with his parents and did custom hay baling. Down through the years he worked in the auto parts industry at Owens Supply and O'Reillys. He worked at two grain elevators and was part owner in Kingfisher Ford Tractor. Gary also spent 3 years managing Evergreen Marina on Lake Eufaula for his longtime friend, Dorsey Brown.

Gary was a charter member of the Kingfisher Elks Lodge where he served in several offices including Exalted Ruler and Trustee. He was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kingfisher and enjoyed traveling with the "Keenagers" group from that Church.

Gary had a great love for boating and was never happier than when he was at the lake. Down through the years he also enjoyed water skiing, scuba diving and camping. In the years after retirement, Gary and Kayleen enjoyed several cruises with their friends, Mike & Janice Reid, including an Alaskan cruise and a Panama Canal cruise.

Gary loved his family and was so proud of each and every one of them and their accomplishments. They brought great joy into his life. In 2013 the entire family traveled to Red River, New Mexico to celebrate Gary and Kayleen's 50th anniversary. In 2018 they all traveled to Gulf Shores, Alabama to celebrate their 55th anniversary.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Dale & Elvena Helt, and his brother-in-law, Norman Harrison. He is survived by his wife, Kayleen; his daughter Tena and husband, Steve Svoboda; his son Tary Helt and wife, Charlotte; his grandchildren Kendra and husband, Kevan Cox, Kyle Svoboda and Chris Tiner, Emmaly Helt, Byron Helt and McCayla Hope; great-grandchildren Kannon and Kaelyn Cox; brother Lary Helt and wife, Diana; sister-in-law Shirley Harrison; brother-in-law Melvin Harrison; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The celebration of his life will be at Kingfisher First Christian Church on Wednesday day, July 14, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with burial following at Kingfisher Cemetery under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kingfisher First Christian Church, 102 S. 7th St. Kingfisher, OK 73750, Kingfisher Elks Lodge, PO Box 444, Kingfisher, OK 73750, or Memory Lane, PO Box 21, Kingfisher, OK 73750.