Gary Lee English

Gary Lee English (1947-2025) age 77, of Longview TX, passed away at Christus Longview LTAC on April 26, 2025, with his devoted wife, Darla, by his side. After a long and courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis and Alzheimers, Gary has gained a new body and is two-stepping in heaven with the angels.

Visitation will be held at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore, TX on Thursday May 1st from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Celebration of life services will be held at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home on Friday May 2nd at 2:00 p.m., with Graveside services to immediately follow at Danville Cemetery in Kilgore, TX.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, George and Opal English, and by his brother, Buddy Guthrey. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Darla Kay English, children, Angela Folds (Chad) and Bryan Simpkins (Laura), grandchildren, Kayla Wehunt, Christopher Wehunt (Heather), Timothy Wehunt, Macy Simpkins, and Kalea Harris, brother Bill English, sister Neta Gannaway, sisters-in-law Linda Calvert and Regina Hightower (Rex), brother in law Kenny McDonald (Greta) and many nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren.

Gary was born on October 6, 1947, to George and Opal English in Winnsboro, TX. He graduated from Winnsboro High School in 1966 and earned his Associates Degree in Applied Engineering from Tyler Junior College in 1968. He began his oil field career in 1969 with Humble Oil and Refinery. He later worked for the Long Trust, owned a dairy farm at one time, and retired from Samson Resources. Gary and Darla were married on October 6, 1990, on Gary’s birthday so he would always be able to remember their anniversary. Gary led a happy and active life. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, roller skating, water skiing, snow skiing, and taking Darla dancing. He loved mowing his yard and would reluctantly dig holes for Darla to plant more plants. Many a night was spent playing cards and games, Ronnie and Judy, and Pam and Rich. He spent 30 years attending Citizen Bank Christmas parties with Darla, dancing the night away. He loved celebrating Darla and Regina’s birthdays with road trips to the casinos with Linda, Regina, and Rex. Gary loved his grandkids and great grandkids and was always ready with a Dad joke or a tall tale. He loved Jesus and John Wayne. On any given winter day, you could find him in his recliner in front of a warm fire watching Gunsmoke. In 2016, he rededicated his life to the Lord and received an answer to his sincere prayer. He could always be found with a Bible by his chair and watching Joyce Meyers with Darla on Sunday mornings.

Special thanks to the doctors and nursing staff at Christus Good Shepherd LTAC for their outstanding, compassionate care for Gary and their kindness and support for our family during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org.