Gary Wayne Thomas

Gary Wayne Thomas, 68, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, died Wednesday, October 19, 2016 in Oklahoma City. Services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 24, 2016 at Walker Funeral Service Chapel with Randy Moore officiating.  Burial will follow at Rossville Cemetery. The casket will remain open until service time, but not be re-opened after. Gary Wayne Thomas was born February 5, 1948 in Cushing, Oklahoma to Marion and Thelma (Tate) Thomas.   He graduated from Cushing High School and later attended college in Seminole.  He joined the United States Navy and served during the Vietnam era.  On May 14, 1994 he married Cheryl (Armitage).  He stared his career in law enforcement in 1975 at McLoud as a patrolman.  In 1984 he started work with the Pottawatomie Sheriff’s Department, where he worked his way up through the ranks to Under Sheriff.  He then worked for the District Attorney’s Office as Chief Investigator.  Later on he went back to work for the Sheriff’s Dept. and was recently promoted to Lieutenant over Court House Security where he also served as evidence officer.  During his career, he worked for the following sheriffs: Paul Abel, Bud Davis, Kurt Shirey, and Mike Booth.  He was also an accomplished musician, playing lead guitar and mandolin in bluegrass bands with his brothers and many friends, including Curt Boles, Harry Escott, and Mike Tuttle.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Wayne Thomas and Kenneth Thomas, sister: Alice Grace and brother-in-law: Alec Grac  Survivors include:  Wife: Cheryl Thomas of the home; Son: Robert Davis and wife Monique of Shawnee; Daughter: Carrie Moore and husband Erron of Bethel;                Granddaughter: Kaylee; Brother: Don Thomas and wife Wilda of Shawnee; Sister-in-law: Doris Thomas; Sister-in-law: Terrie Kiker and husband Kenneth; Brother-in-law: David Armitage and wife Tonya; Mother-in-law and Father-in-law: Norma and Bob Armitage; Numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, law enforcement family, and friends.