Gary Tipton Shifflet

Gary Tipton Shifflet was called home to be with the Lord on February 15, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. His family and friends celebrate a life well lived and remain grateful for the impact he had on so many.
Born in West Virginia on July, 9 1944, Gary spent most of his childhood years in Orange, Texas. His family eventually moved to Odessa his senior year where he graduated from Permian High School in 1963, but he always thought of Orange as his hometown. He met the love of his life Helen Snody at a Christmas party when the two were both students at Odessa College. They married on March 5, 1966 and spent the next 56 years together as partners, parents, and grandparents.
In 1966 Gary enlisted in the United States Army. The couple spent 18 months in Germany and 50 years later, they had the opportunity to travel back to Germany to see the home they shared together.
The Shifflets welcomed a son, Jeffery Alan, on January 6, 1971 followed by Jeff’s sister, Jennifer Ann, on October 27, 1974. The family would endure a difficult period when their beloved Jeffery was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 4 and ultimately lost his battle 2 years later.
Gary spent 35 years of his life building a career as a maintenance manager at Rexene/Huntsman Corporation, one of the region’s largest chemical plants. He was a respected leader in the company and a loyal friend to many. He mentored others to reach their career potential.
But Gary’s greatest joy was his daughter Jennifer. Gary never missed a dance performance, a singing engagement or an opportunity to entertain all of Jennifer’s friends. He loved having a house full of teenagers at his home, sharing his immaculately manicured yard and swimming pool with friends and family. Gary also spent many years enjoying his house at Lake Brownwood where the work was never-ending, and that’s just the way he liked it. Over the years, the Shifflets created friendships that would soon become like extended family.
In 2006, Jennifer and her husband Alec Barry welcomed not one, not two, but three babies. The Barry triplets quickly became the center of Gary’s world. Poppy found great pride in watching them conquer each milestone. He loved attending gymnastics meets, football and baseball games, musical performances, and wrestling meets. Most of all, he just loved seeing and spending time with his family all together.
Gary and Helen have been members at Fielder Church since 2006 and cherish the relationships they have built with their community group over the years. Gary also loved Mojo football, the TCU Horned Frogs, and the Dallas Cowboys. He was a jack of all trades and had a keen ability to retain trivia on just about any topic you could name. Always the hardest worker in any room, he spent much of his retirement years volunteering to help others in need.
His friends loved his humor, his generosity, and his fierce loyalty. He was always the life of the party. Gary was an avid golfer and traveler and together, the family experienced many incredible adventures with memories to last a lifetime.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents Ivan and Fay Shifflet, sister Retha Armstrong, brother Ray Shifflet, and his son Jeffery.
He is survived by his wife Helen, daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Alec Barry, grandchildren Kennedy, Ashton, and Parker Barry, sister Charlotte Hanson, brother Gene Shifflet and many nieces and nephews.
The family will host a celebration of Gary’s life on Saturday, February 25th at 10:00 a.m. at Fielder Church in Arlington, Texas. Wade Funeral Home is coordinating services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mission Arlington or Samaritan’s Purse.