Stillwater, Oklahoma - Curtis Gayle Ward of Stillwater, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 12, 2025. A visitation with family greeting friends will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2025 at Strode Funeral Home. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2025 at the First Christian Church, 411 W. Matthews Street in Stillwater. Burial will follow in the Glencoe South Cemetery. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

He was born in Stillwater on April 29, 1925, to E.B and Velma Ward. Gayle (as he was called by family and friends) attended kindergarten and grade school at Eugene Field Elementary School, then attended Stillwater High School where he graduated in May 1943. Immediately after his 18th birthday, Gayle joined the U.S. Army Air Corps (predecessor to today's U.S. Air Force) for pilot training, ultimately serving as a flight officer (in his twilight he was among few still surviving World War II veterans). After honorably completing his military service, Gayle attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University), graduating with a business degree in 1951.

Gayle joined Patricia Ann Kincaid in marriage on November 27, 1959, at the Glencoe Church of Christ. They loved deeply and served each other faithfully for 65 years.

Gayle was a devout Christian, demonstrating his love for Jesus through lifelong membership and service at First Christian Church of Stillwater, many years of service in the Gideons, and countless private acts of love, service, and charity. He was extraordinarily kind, gentle, quiet, and unassuming.

Gayle began his career working in the front office of the family-owned Ward Chevrolet dealership. He soon became the Service Manager, serving in that role until the dealership was sold in 1964. He then acquired and managed real estate rental properties and laundromats. He finished his career performing research, including design and construction of the necessary equipment and infrastructure, at the USDA Agricultural Research Center's Hydraulics Laboratory, from which he retired in 1989.

Gayle loved working with his hands and developed many practical skills doing so. In the mid-1970's, he served as the General Contractor and also contributed his skilled labor to construct a beautiful, spacious new family home where he resided until his death. He was an avid, award-winning woodworker and active member of Stillwater Woodworkers Club into his nineties. Gayle made many beautiful furnishings and decorations for his home and church as well as for family members and friends, He also enjoyed stamp collecting, photography, model airplanes, and boat racing and was an active member of related associations during the seasons of life when he was able to pursue those hobbies.

Gayle was preceded in death by his parents E.B. and Velma Ward, brother Newton (who died at birth), and younger sisters Jean and Leah.

He is survived by his loving wife, Pat Ward; daughter Linda and (Cliff) Eberle: son Roger Ward; granddaughter Hannah Eberle (Bradley) Young; great-grandchildren Ford (age 1), and Sutton (expected in April) Young; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Gayle's family thanks the Scott Lytle and Shawn Beale families; Stillwater Medical Physicians Clinic, especially Dr. Kevin Oltmanns and the nursing staff; Ray of Sunshine Helping Hands home care service; and Karman Legacy Hospice for their excellent and devoted care for Gayle in his twilight years.

Donations in Gayle's memory may be sent to the First Christian Church, 411 W. Matthews Street, Stillwater, OK, 74075 or to Gideons International, PO Box 1535, Stillwater, OK, 74076.

Condolences may be emailed to the family and an online obituary may be viewed by visiting www.strodefh.com.