Van Alstyne, Texas -- Gary Dee Philbrick, 80, passed into the arms of his Heavenly Father on November 27, 2017, surrounded by family and friends after a period of declining health caused by Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was the only child of Robert Dee Wayne Philbrick and Alice Alene Biby Philbrick.

Gary was born August 10, 1937, in Anthony, Kansas and spent his early years in the Hawley community near Nash, Oklahoma. After working in Defense Plants during WW II, his family moved to Enid, Oklahoma where his father became a house builder, and they lived in a house that his dad built.

Gary attended school in Enid, Oklahoma and graduated from Enid High School in 1957.He attended Oklahoma State University where he received an Associate Degree in Electronics Technology in 1960.

On July 1, 1961 he married his next-door neighbor, Lora Lou Grammont Philbrick, and they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this summer.

Gary Philbrick leaves behind his wife, Lora, and his three children, Terri Duncan and husband Steve, of Kingsport, Tennessee, Debbie Wood and husband David of Plano, Texas, and Robert Philbrick and wife Glenna of Nacogdoches, Texas and grandchildren Tyler Duncan and wife, Linsey, Emily Duncan Turbyfill and husband Noah, Matthew Duncan, Zachary Duncan, Caleb Wood, Brooke Philbrick and Garrett Philbrick. He is also survived by Woody Howard whom he loved like a son.

Gary began his career as an electronics technician in the Research and Development Department of Continental Oil Company in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He then moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where he worked for Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In October of 1967 he started working for Texas Instruments in Dallas and retired after 24 years. He then worked as a Plant Operator for Collin County Community College in Plano, TX until he retired in 2005.

Gary enjoyed life, and his main goal was to make someone laugh every day and to bring happiness into someone’s life. He loved his church family at Cannon Baptist Church, his country lifestyle, and his dogs. When his children were still at home he loved to camp with his family and friends. He also enjoyed taking pictures of flowers, leading music at church, and studying the Bible.

A celebration of Gary’s life will be held on Dec. 28, 2017 at 7:00 pm at Cannon Baptist Church, 6498 FM 121, Van Alstyne, TX 75495. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cannon Baptist Church, PO Box 1992, Van Alstyne, TX 75495.

Arrangements are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home & Crematory 637 W. Van Alstyne Pkwy, Van Alstyne, Texas 75495. You may sign the online register book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com