Obituary








Gary Wayne Pullin, age 59, passed away on December 15, 2011, in Dallas, Texas, from lymphoma. Gary was a resident of Plano, Texas, having previously lived in Minco, Norman, Hugo, and Chickasha, Oklahoma.

Gary was born on July 4, 1952, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to G.W. and Vera Pullin (deceased). Gary attended Minco Public Schools for grades 1-12. As both President and Valedictorian of his Senior Class, Gary also found time to participate in band, basketball, and Student Council. From the age of 12 through high school, Gary worked at Minco's Dairy Boy restaurant. Gary was a member of the Minco First United Methodist Church.

Gary attended college and law school at the University of Oklahoma (OU). At OU, Gary earned a B.S. in mathematics, served as a member of the President's Leadership Class, worked as a Resident Advisor, and was elected to Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society. He was also selected as a BMOC (Big Man on Campus), was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, and was elected to Pe-et (OU's top senior honorary, where he also served as president). In addition to leadership of his social fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, Gary served on then OU President George Lynn Cross's advisory council on drug and alcohol abuse. Gary earned the Gold Letseizer Award for OU's most Outstanding Senior Man. Subsequently, Gary attended and graduated from OU Law School during which time he served as the Resident Advisor Manager for OU's Cross Center housing complex.

Gary's legal career began with the Rabon Law Firm in Hugo and then as a partner at Van Dyck, Hayes, Dabney, and Pullin Law Firm in Chickasha. In 1989, Gary moved to Plano, Texas to start his own law firm. Gary was President of the Young Lawyers Division of the Oklahoma Bar Association, was active in the Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Board of Directors of the Plano Bar Association. Gary served in many leadership positions with the Kiwanis Club, contributed as a Cub Scout leader, and was an accomplished and avid tennis player.

Gary is survived by his wife, ReDonna; four children, Daniel, Justin, Valerie, and Allison; four grandchildren Natalie, Cooper, Parker, and Veronica; and five siblings, Glenda, Gerald, Janice, Michael, and Bill.

A service honoring Gary's life will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at the Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 8011 Frankford Rd, Dallas, TX 75252. Phone: (972) 407-6070. Web: www.teddickeywestfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, the family and the University of Oklahoma have established The Gary W. Pullin "Smile Fund" for Patient-Centered Cancer Care. Contributions can be made via mail to: The University of Oklahoma Foundation (attn. Gary W. Pullin "Smile Fund"), 100 Timberdell Rd, Norman, OK 73019. Phone: (866) 321-1174.

In life, Gary was selfless, charming, funny, authentic, and loving. In his final days, he knew his body was ready to give out, but his giving nature pushed him to struggle for just that last bit of extra time to allow his loved ones to journey to his bedside to laugh, love, and say goodbye. Gary's final act of courage was perhaps his greatest gift of all.

Arrangements under the direction of Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.