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In loving memory

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October 1, 1940 –  March 7, 2011  Gary D. Wylie, aged 70, died peacefully and went to be with his Lord in the early morning of March 7, 2011 at the VA Veteranâ??s Hospital in Bonham, Texas. Mr. Wylie was born in Stamford, Texas on October 1, 1940 to Ruth Davis Wylie and P.C. Wylie (both deceased).
After moving around Texas in his early years, his family finally settled in Whitesboro, where he finished high school as the Valedictorian of his class. Ever the competitive athlete, he won many ribbons, awards and Varsity letters in tennis, track, basketball and football. Itâ??s football that took Gary to Oklahoma, where he played both fullback and halfback for the Oklahoma Sooners under Bud Wilkinson. During his tenure at OU, Gary was elected to the Big 8 Conference All-Academic Team of 1961; he also had the pleasure of playing in an Orange Bowl and was captain of the team, among other accomplishments where there. He was also a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Mr. Wylie was very involved in the ROTC and when he graduated college already a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Reserve, he played football for the Army team. After starting a family and moving to Virginia to continue his Army training, he went to Viet Nam and ultimately served 2 tours there, 1965-1966 and 1968-1969, Indo-China. He was retired from the Army as a Captain. Among other awards, here are the recognitions he received from the Army, Bronze Star Medal, Airmanâ??s Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 1960; Army Aviator Badge. After living several years in Dallas, Mr. Wylie returned to Gainesville where he met and married Joyce. There were regulars at the VFW and he loved to play bingo, shuffleboard, pool, dominoes and cards. Most recently he always looked forward to the monthly trip to an Oklahoma casino! He was a faithful member of the church of Christ and enjoyed singing. He loved to watch sports since he could no longer play them; football, baseball, golf, it didnâ??t matter! Many years ago he introduced all of his kids to soccer, acted as their coach and made sure they knew the rules of every sport â?? especially football!!

In addition to his wife Joyce, Gary is survived by his children, Linda K. Aigner of Flower Mound, Susan Taylor of Amarillo, John Wylie and wife Jennifer of Highland Village, James Wylie of Fort Worth, Janice Kimball and Kerry of Grapevine, Mike Lancaster and wife Donna of Waxahachie and Barbie Dyer and Marty of Highland village and sisters Betty Moran of Dallas, and Kay Martin of Normangee. He had 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews and good, longtime friends!

Visitation is set for Friday, March 11th from 12:30 â?? 1:30 p.m. at Clement-Keel Funeral Home. The graveside military service will immediately follow at 2 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville.
In addition to flowers, please send all memorials to the VFW Hughes Tune Post 1922 Gainesville, TX 76240.