Burton "Burt" Ray Gill

Burton Ray “Burt” Gill, 90, of Tecumseh, Oklahoma passed from this life Monday, January 6, 2020 at his home.

Burt was born March 9, 1929 to Roy and Minnie (Erickson) Gill in Norman, Oklahoma about 1 1/2 miles North of Denver corner just East of Norman. 

He attended North Gale grade school and Norman high school where played baseball.

His dad trained bird dogs mostly for hunting quail and at the age of 16, Burt trained his first dog.  He trained dogs until 2009 when his health started to fail and he had to give it up.  He was so proud of the important people that he trained dogs for, such as doctors, lawyers, firemen, bankers and just those good ole boys.  He made many friends throughout the years.  He talked about them and the dogs all the time.  He loved the dogs, especially one called Lady, she was very special.

Burt met Margie Lee Austin in March of 1978 and they were married in June of 1978 in Gainesville, Texas; no hurry-huh. He loved to tell the story of how they met.

Burt went to work at Shawnee Milling Company when he was young so that he could play baseball.  He worked at the Mill for 34 years until his retirement.  He served as the president of the Mill Union for 16 years and made many friends during his time working at Shawnee Mill, he was proud of his position in the union.

Burt served as Sunday school superintendent for Jessie McCullar for many years.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially taking his grandkids and great-grandkids fishing.  It became a tradition for the grandkids to go to Grandpa and Grandma’s house to spend their spring break.  He also enjoyed attending their school activities and sporting events.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Minnie Gill; 2 infant sisters; brother and sister-in-law, Leon and Alene Gill; 3 sisters, Dorothy Kegin, June and husband, Dean Bacon and Anita Cox; son-in-law, Barney Shirey; grandson, Michael Rider; and great-granddaughter, Scotlyn Shirey.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Margie (Austin) Gill of the home; 4 daughters, whom he loved very much, Donna and Bill Rakacy of Lakewood, CO, Shirley and Gene Minor of Moore, OK, Derenda and Scott Angvire of Laguna Nigel, CA and Raylene and Phil Langford of Norman, OK; 2 sons, Eddie and Darla Rider of Shawnee, OK and Travis and Lisa Jones of Tecumseh, OK; 1 daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn (Shirey) and Jake Bevelhymer of Tecumseh, OK; grandchildren, Clint Minor, Derek Minor, Scott Angvire, Katie Angvire, Jarrett Langford, Lauren Watson, Stephanie Bryant, Marty Shirey, Jamie Mustin, Greg Shirey, Brian Shirey, Sunita Embrey and Kortnee Thomas; great-grandchildren, Drake Minor, Stasia Schrader, Connor Shirey, Easton Marrs, Maci Marrs, Ike Shirey, Justyce Shirey, Sicily Shirey, Jagger Shirey, Brady Shirey, Journey Shirey, Major Bryant, Jillian Embrey, Tyson Mustin, Toni Belle Mustin, Keevan Hill, Ali Thomas and Brynn Thomas; brothers-in-law, Tom Kegin, Gene and Karla Austin and Larry Cox; and many loving friends and extended family.

The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice and their nursing staff for their kindness and loving care during Burt’s illness.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 8, 2020 and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2020 and continue through service time.  Family gathering to greet friends and family will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Cooper Funeral Home.  Service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 10, 2020 at Liberty Baptist Church with Pastor Marty Shirey, Full Circle Church in Shawnee and Phil Thompson, Liberty Baptist Church in Shawnee, officiating.    Burial will follow at Tecumseh Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.