Gary Eugene Brooksher of Norman, a member of the Norman High School class of 1966, passed away Sunday, July 13th at the age of 77. He kept a close circle of lifelong friends. In his younger years, he loved traveling with them—either to the horse track or the poker tables in Vegas.
He served in the US Military, Army, in Vietnam, and was an honorably discharged veteran.
Gary also loved sports and was a lifelong OU football and basketball fan. He found success in many ventures in the car business, a path his son would later follow. Gary was a natural salesperson and leader. He also dabbled in furniture and even bail bonds, bringing his daughters in to learn the trade.
As he grew older, he carried with him his love of poker, horses, and sports but added a passion for cooking for his family and friends—especially excelling in smoking meats. Gary was very social, joining bowling and pool leagues. He remained competitive until the end and never settled for less than his best.
He developed a knack for gardening, with his favorite product being homegrown tomatoes in Oklahoma. He moved back in May of 2025, just in time to prepare his garden for the summer. He often moved between his home in Oklahoma and his beloved Las Vegas, remaining a continuous learner in the game of poker. He kept meticulous records of every game he played and had dreams of writing a book about his lifelong love of the game.
Gary was incredibly intelligent, funny, sarcastic, and—at times—a bit (okay, a lot) stubborn. He lived life on his own terms, always believing it was never too late to start over and that no mistake was too big to come back from.
He will be dearly missed, and his once-in-a-lifetime personality will forever live on in our hearts.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Arthur Eugene Brooksher and Opal Louise Sawyer. Those left behind include his son, Greg Brooksher, and wife Stephanie; daughter Kellie Hopkins and husband Paul; and daughter Jeana Brooksher Courtois—all of Norman. He had six grandsons: Bradley and Tyler Brooksher, Cooper, Carson, and Foster Hopkins, and Brooks Courtois. In January, he earned the title of Great-Papaw when he welcomed Hazel Hopkins to the Brooksher crew.
He will also be missed by his brother Terry, and nieces Julie and Amber, along with many other family members and friends.
His heart may have given out, but his mind never did. He stayed true to who he was until his last breath. We’ll love you forever, Gary B.
Douglas Davis
Not much I can say Gary. Wish we had been more together. Sorry you are now gone. But I will always remember you and what you did for me, and which you will never know. Good bye old friend.