Gary Leon Norvelle

Gary Leon Norvelle, 87, of Hobart, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Clinton Veterans Center in Clinton, Oklahoma, on June 1st, 2021. He was born on April 23rd, 1934, to Hattie Jackson Capps and Duke Norvelle in Hobart, Oklahoma. His father passed away and he was subsequently raised by Charlie and Hattie Capps.
Gary grew up and attended school in Hobart, Oklahoma. He often reminisced on his childhood. He would relay stories of what his life was like growing up during the Dust Bowl days of the Great Depression, how he and his family would work tirelessly doing whatever they could to avoid starvation. When talking of those times, he frequently compared it to the book written by John Steinbeck The Grapes of Wrath. Gary's family worked their way to California in search of a better life, only to find themselves living in a tent in extreme poverty. His mother would make dumplings from old bread in a water-based broth regularly. As a result Gary refused to eat dumplings in his adult life. Oatmeal with watered-down canned milk was also a staple of their diet. His dad, Duke Norvelle, died tragically in a sulfur mining explosion, leaving his mother widowed with five children. In later years, Gary's mother would go on to marry his uncle, Charlie Capps, who helped rear the family.
In 1950 he and his brother Jim, while only 16 years old, lied about their ages in order to join the 45th National Guard. Once he was enlisted, Norvelle was unable to graduate from high school. He later went on to earn his GED and also a collegiate GED. He was presented with an honorary diploma and was able to formally graduate in 2003, at the age of 69, with his daughter Lacie. Norvelle served for one year in the 45th National Guard.
In 1951, at 17 years of age, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. While in the U.S. Navy, he fought in the Korean War and served on several tours of duty on various naval ships. He retired as a Third Class Petty Officer after four years of service.
In 1955, at 21 years of age, Gary joined the U.S. Air Force. While in the military, he learned the trade of electrician and used that education throughout the remainder of his life. He was proud to have served his country for 21 years and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1971 having achieved the rank of Master Sergeant.
He was an ardent supporter of our armed forces and encouraged any young person he met to enlist. Over the course of his military career, he met men from across the United States, traveled the world, felt the harsh effects of war, and made memories that he would express to his children, grandchildren, and friends for the remainder of his life. He continually spoke with pride of his time in the military, how he cherished that time, how he loved and respected the armed forces, and how he was able to raise eight children on military pay and retirement that he drew for 50 years.
Gary was a man of endless love and was married several times throughout his life. His first marriage was to Zelma Taylor on February 23, 1953. Of that marriage one child was born: Terry Marie Norvelle. He and Zelma divorced and were later remarried and divorced a second time.
Norvelle's third marriage was to Wanda Wisdom in 1957. Of that marriage there were two children: Sherman Norvelle and Wade Norvelle.
His fourth marriage was to Judi Ard. They were married on June 10, 1972, in Wichita Falls, Texas. Of that marriage there were three children: LeaAnn Norvelle, Terri Lynn Norvelle, and Kim Norvelle. Gary and Judi had been married for 15 years when Judi passed away on May 14th, 1988.
Gary's fifth and final marriage was to Judy Trentham on August 4, 1992, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Of that marriage there were two children: Matthew Beatty and Lacie Bradshaw Norvelle. They also raised two dogs and a cat that he dearly loved: Boomer, Sooner, and Peanut. Gary and Judy were married for 28 years at the time of his passing.
From the time he retired from the military, he held a variety of jobs. For a period of time, he was the park ranger for the Quartz Mountain State Park. He was also the proud owner of the bowling alley where 2001 Video now resides. He was particularly proud when KJ's, now the Hometown Pizza, used the wood from the bowling alley lanes as the dining tabletops.
Another area of his working life included law enforcement. He worked as a police officer for the Hobart Police Department before becoming the last elected Chief of Police for the City of Hobart. He worked for several years with the Kiowa County Sheriff's Office doing transport assignments of inmates up to Fort Supply and other various places. He proudly served his community in those roles and handled his responsibilities as Chief with extreme seriousness. He always had the City's best interest at heart while in the performance of those duties.
The career he is probably remembered for the most is being an electrician and an all-around handyman. He could repair most anything. If he didn't know how to repair it, he would study to find a solution. At different times throughout his retired life from the military, he worked at the Altus Air Force Base, Highland Supply, and the Hobart Housing Authority as an electrician/maintenance man. He also owned and operated numerous repair businesses such as Norvelle TV. The most well-known one being Norvelle Electric, Appliance, Heat & Air. He was the go-to electrician for many years in Hobart and the surrounding areas. No job was ever too big, too small, or too hard for him to accomplish. You would often find him in attics and crawl spaces, regardless of the weather conditions, making certain his jobs were being taken care of.
Gary worked exceedingly hard to provide and care for his family. He continually put his wants and needs second to that of his family. He was a kind, fair, and patient dad. Gary loved his family unconditionally. His children never questioned the love he had for them. He had a way of saying, "I love you," with such sincerity and emotion that you knew it came from his heart.
He always said the greatest success he had in life was his children. He would often brag and speak with an enormous amount of pride about the number of children he had, the number of grandchildren he had, and the number of great grandchildren he had. He loved all his children, regardless of biology, as his own and took great offense if the word "step" was ever used. It did not belong in any vernacular concerning family as far as he was concerned. One thing he would always say is blood is not thicker than water.
Gary's life was full of vivid color. Those colors colored all our lives. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Judy, of the home in Hobart, Oklahoma.
Seven children:
Sherman Norvelle and wife Cindy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Terry Jones of Mountain Park, Oklahoma;
LeaAnn Norvelle of Morgan City, Louisiana;
Terri Chapa of Fort Cobb, Oklahoma;
Kim Quintero and husband Jesse of Weatherford, Oklahoma;
Matthew Beatty and wife Yuki of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;
Lacie Perez and husband Louie of Stillwater, Oklahoma.
(He always joked there might be more across the ocean 12)
Sixteen grandchildren: Brandon Norvelle, Lacy Turnbull, David Kazee, Shelley Simpson, Crystal Richardson, Jessica Briano, Dylan Norvelle, Haley Glover, Drake Farmer, Jamie Anderson, Jessica Quintero, Jayden Quintero, Kason Quintero, Yoshihide Takahashi, Misuzu Fujiwara, and Ralph Perez.
29 Great Grandchildren
Brother, Richard Norvelle
Sister, Barbara Russell
and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins

Gary is preceded in death by his Parents Charlie & Hattie Capps; Father, Duke Norvelle; Brothers Jimmie Norvelle and Bruce Norvelle; sister, Nancy McNutt; Wife, Judith Ann Ard Norvelle; Son, Wade Norvelle; and granddaughter, Crystal Chisholm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Bright Focus Foundation 22512 Gateway Center Dr. Clarksburg, MD 20871.

Memorial Service: 9:30 a.m., Friday, June 18, 2021
Ray & Martha's Funeral Home
Hobart, Oklahoma

Interment: 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 18, 2021
Fort Sill National Cemetery
Elgin, Oklahoma