Gaylord James Mathers

Gaylord was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where he graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1961 and Central State University, now known as University of Central Oklahoma, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English in 1971.

Gaylord served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a Captain and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with a Bronze Oakleaf Cluster after his service. Later, he continued to serve his country in the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

Gaylord and his wife, Sherry, raised their family in Tulsa, Oklahoma where they always enjoyed camping, boating, and fishing together at area Oklahoma lakes. While in Tulsa, he worked in the Insurance Claims profession. After serving as President of the Tulsa Claims Association he was awarded a lifetime membership. Gaylord continued his Insurance Claims career with USAA where he worked as a Litigation Supervisor when the family moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1989.

Throughout his career he pursued continuing professional education where he most recently completed the USAA Darden Executive Education Program in 1997.

He was well known for his dry wit and humor which earned him the nickname of "Bucky" at USAA. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed bowling and casual rounds of golf with his friends.

He is predeceased by his son, Thomas.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharon "Sherry" Mathers; daughter, Heather Norris and her husband Lloyd; and granddaughter, Stephanie Norris, all of San Antonio.

As a husband, father, grandfather, and friend he was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.

Interment will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2009, at Resurrection Cemetery, 7801 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 78132.