Larry was born on December 28, 1944 in Okarche, OK to Ralph A. and Helen H. (Luis) Gales.
Larry attended St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Ponca City, OK. He spent a year at Cardinal Glennon Seminary in St. Louis and then enlisted in the US Army June 10, 1969, being deployed to Viet Nam and discharged from the army in 1972. Larry’s love of science motivated him to pursue college at Oklahoma State University where he attained an associate’s degree in mathematics, and bachelor and Master of Science degrees.
Larry went to work in 1976 as an Environmental Specialist with the Oklahoma State Department of Health. In 1985, he accepted a promotion to Programs Administrator for Environmental Health Services in Oklahoma City and in 1993; he was appointed Director of Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ’s) Administrative Services Division (ASD), which he held until his retirement in 2006. He was responsible for the agency’s data processing programs, environmental training and planning, finance, personnel, affirmative action, and emergency response and data systems design. Larry received numerous awards and certifications, including the Governor’s Commendation and the EPA Notable Achievement Award for state- federal cooperation for DEQ’s response during the 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado (locally referred to as the May 3rd tornado), an extraordinarily powerful F5 tornado, considered the strongest tornado ever recorded to have affected the metropolitan area, killing 36 people (plus an additional five indirectly), leaving 2 million cubic yards of debris, and the temporary loss of 51 public water supplies and 46 wastewater treatment systems due to interrupted electric power. As Emergency Response Coordinator, Larry was instrumental in forming a partnership among DEQ, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA). With Larry, as the central coordinator for environmental matters, all agencies were able to develop and follow a single-minded course of action for assisting Oklahomans on the road to recovery.
Upon his retirement in 2006, his DEQ colleagues gave him many accolades and gifts:
“We are saying goodbye to Larry, who always did his best. He solved all of our problems; he never seemed to rest. For 30, yes 30 years, he was a GO TO MAN! And now we have to say good-bye. Let us stand and give him a hand.”
Larry’s interest in motorcycles led him to be a nationally certified Rider Coach, promoting and delivering motorcycle safety by conducting courses for beginning motorcycle riders. His motorcycle club, “The Wheel’N Okies”, would get together (Larry at the helm, naturally) every September for a trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Larry was extremely active in his church, St. Eugene Catholic Church, OKC. He was a small group leader for Bible Study and Catholic Christian Outreach groups, attended numerous retreats, including Cursillo and Retreat in Daily Life, and was involved in sponsoring those coming into the church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, (RCIA), as well as teaching high school Confirmation classes. He attended Sunday Mass and weekly Masses M, W, & F, led rosaries, and spent many hours in the chapel during Adoration of the Eucharist and Benediction. He treasured his Men’s Group on Friday mornings.
He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007, and the disease progressed in later years to bone cancer. Despite the many treatments and pain that Larry carried in his body, he would not be deterred in his spirit and pursuits of life. He loved God, his family, his church, and friends everywhere. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He took Jesus with him everywhere and his parting words in person, text, or emails were always “Stay safe and God bless.”
Larry was preceded in death by his parents: Ralph and Helen (Luis) Gales;
He is survived by his wife of the home, Nancy Lea Gales, OKC & her son Mark Powell, Springfield, MO; son, Joshua (Josh) Gales and spouse Meghan Jernigan Gales, Seattle, WA; daughter, Amanda Christensen and spouse H.L., OKC
3 grandchildren, Anthony (Tony) Gales, 10 and Abraham Gales, 5 of Seattle, WA; and Hayden Christensen, 6, of OKC
Brother, Robert J. Gales and spouse Earlene Gales, daughter (niece to Larry) Maria Johnson and son (nephew to Larry) R. Sean, two grandnieces and one grandnephew, all of Boerne, TX
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Online condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at eisenhourfuneralhome.com.
The funeral Mass can be viewed LIVE on Tuesday, April 7th at 10AM by going to:
steugenes.org, and clicking the box on the homepage entitled MASS LIVESTREAM.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made out to: St. Eugene Catholic Church, 2400 W. Hefner Rd, OKC, OK 73120
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