Gary received a heart transplant on November 19, 1994 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. He met the love of his life, Holly, a kidney transplant recipient, at a Second Chance Celebrity softball game to promote donor awareness. They were married in 1996. Gary participated in National and International Transplant Games, winning gold and silver medals in golf, bowling and table tennis. He and Holly shared their successful organ transplant life experiences with many organizations in Oklahoma and Arkansas. This was their way to promote donor awareness, in order that others might have a second chance at life through organ and tissue donation.

Gary is survived by: his loving wife, Holly; his parents; his sister, Kristy Pontious-Amos, Class of '78 and her husband, his sister, Debra Pontious, Class of '82, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a beloved son, brother, and husband.

He was preceded in death by: his grandparents and his uncle. In lieu of flowers and to honor Gary, the family is requesting donations be made to the Oklahoma Donor Coalition, c/o LifeShare, 2221 East Skelly Drive, Tulsa, OK, 74105.  Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.