Gary Draeger

Graveside services for Gary Draeger will be held 2:00 p.m Wednesday, April
8, 2020 at the Dawes Cemetery. The service will be available on
Facebook Live through MMS-Payne Funeral Service Facebook page.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 from 5-8 p.m.

Gary passed away on April 2, 2020 at the age of 72.

Gary, the son of Roy and Wynona Grigg Draeger was born February 27,
1948 in Chelsea, Oklahoma. He was raised in Chelsea and attended
Chelsea Public Schools from kindergarten until he graduated as a member
of the Class of 1966. As a child, Gary loved baseball and riding horses. He
was a Member of the Dragon football team throughout his high school
career. Wanting to continue his education, Gary began attending Oklahoma
Military Academy for his freshman year then transferred to Northeastern
State University.

Gary met the love of his life, Roberta Axley during his junior year while
attending Chelsea High School. The high school sweethearts were married
on July 26, 1968 in Chelsea at the Memorial Methodist Church. The newly
wed couple made their home in Tahlequah for one year, then returned to
Chelsea. Gary then attended Pipefitting classes, after completing and
obtaining his pipe fitting certification, he took a job working for Pipe Fitters
Local 205. Over the next several years, Gary would work all over
northeastern Oklahoma, across the US as well as working internationally.
Eventually, he took a job working for Rogers County and later with Public
Service Company of Oklahoma.

Gary had many hobbies, some of his favorite pastimes were coaching his
son and daughter on their little league baseball and softball teams. He
enjoyed fishing, bird hunting and reading western novels, specifically any
novel written by Louis Lamour. Throughout his life he always had the desire
to be a cowboy. He began participating in events such as steer roping and
team roping. He took pride in helping the beginners, believing that everyone
needed a helping hand. In the past several years you could find him down
at the Jiffy Mart drinking coffee with his proclaimed social club. After retiring
from roping most of his time revolved around his grandchildren, Logan,
Allison, Carson, and Jaclyn. He enjoyed watching them play sports and any
other event where they participated. Gary was also a long time member of
the First Baptist Church of Chelsea.

He is preceded in death by his father, Roy Draeger, and grandson, Joshua
Bear Smith.

Survivors include his wife, Roberta Draeger; children, Quint Draeger and
wife Denise, and Jennifer Smith and husband Jack; granchildren, Logan,
Allison, Carson and Jaclyn Draeger, his mother, Wynona Draeger, and sister
Ruetta Paris.
View and sign Gary's online memorial at www.mmsfuneralhoms.com