Garland "Gary" Chester Kautz was born in Watonga Hospital on November 5, 1950, to Benjamin Franklin Kautz and Lorene (Van Gilder) Kautz of Geary. He passed away at his home in Yukon, Oklahoma, on November 21, 2025, at the age of 75 years and 16 days.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his daughters, Julie Moore and her husband Rusty of Thomas, and Elly Nossaman and her husband Travis of Yukon. He dearly loved his four grandchildren: Saraya Hunt and her husband Zach, Gunner Gifford and his wife Hannah, Tuck Horton, and Tycen Horton. His bonus grandchildren included Maycee Nossaman, Natalee Nossaman, Weston Nossaman, Kinsley Likavec and her husband Hunter, and Calton Moore. He was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Chayse Kirk and Atticus Hunt, and two bonus great-grandchildren, Belamy Spears and Stetson Likavec. Gary is also survived by his brothers, Bill Kautz and his wife Trina, and Kenny Kautz and his wife Gail; three nieces, Tonya Hesser and her husband Jamie, Kendra Cope and her husband Jeremiah, and Katie Kautz and her husband; one nephew, Jeff Kautz and his wife Rolanda; and countless extended family members and friends.

Gary attended first and second grade in Geary before the family moved to Watonga. In his youth he worked as a carhop at Sonic and later became one of Love's very first employees at Store #1. In high school, Gary enjoyed weightlifting, track, and baseball, but he truly excelled in football. He received numerous awards and accolades, including "Fightingest Eagle" in 1967 and 1968, All-District in 1968, and was selected by fans for "The Team of the Decade." In 2008, he was inducted into the Watonga Football Hall of Fame.

After graduating in 1968, Gary briefly attended SWOSU. He married Janet Sisson on February 7, 1969. They made their home in Watonga, later moved to Yukon, and eventually settled in Fay in 1976, where they raised their own two girls and also helped raise some who weren't theirs. Over the years, Gary worked at Honeywell, Wills Welding, and Slawson Oil before founding his own company, Kautz's Pumping, in 1986. He remained close with his employees throughout the nearly forty years that followed, especially his longtime friend Don L.; he made a whole new "lake family" at Eufaula, and he never lost touch with his high school pals.

Gary was an avid pilot. He earned his student pilot certificate on October 5, 1968, and his private pilot's license on January 6, 1975. He loved traveling, spending time at the lake, and playing golf with his buddies. He attended his grandchildren's activities as often as he could, cheering them on with pride. He loved hanging out with the IU Crew and watching sports and westerns. Most of all, Gary enjoyed swapping stories, sharing a good laugh, and making memories with his family and dear friends that will be treasured forever.

Gary will be remembered for his dry humor, his grunts and grit, his loyalty, and the deep love he had for his family and friends. His presence will be profoundly missed, but his legacy lives on in all who knew and loved him.