George Gilbert Givens

1938~2024

In Loving Memory...

George Gilbert Givens was born in Hutchinson, KS on May 1, 1938, to Ralph and Altha Sanger Givens, and died on Feb. 4, 2024. He lived in Hutchinson for seven years until his mother died and father remarried moving family to the rural area east of Waldron, AR. He and his brother Richard were joined by three stepsisters and later a half-sister. Their Arkansas school experiences were marginal, many times the district was only able to fund their rural school for a few short months. His greatest ability at the time was being able to read, having learned to read by the “phonics” method taught in his Hutchinson grade school. In 1952 the family moved from Arkansas to the Herring Community in Roger Mills County, OK. The children of the family did much catching up during their educational experiences at the rural Herring Grade School.

When George went into high school at Hammon, he participated in quartets and choir, plus playing on both the basketball and baseball teams as a freshman and throughout high school. He also drove a school bus in his senior year of school. In 1957 he and his high school sweetheart Peggy Smith married, then moved to Stillwater to attend OSU. Daughter Jill was born there in 1960. After moving back to Roger Mills County in 1962, he discovered that health problems prevented his working on the farm and ranch. He started educational studies to add to his science credits at Southwestern State College in January of 1965, graduating with a degree in spring semester 1967, being hired by Watonga public schools in March 1967 where he spent his entire educational career. He was a teacher, administrator, and counselor, one of the first elementary counselors in western Oklahoma. He served as president of the Blaine County Teachers’ Association and was on numerous state boards in counseling. He served on church committees as well as being Chairman of Executive Board and was Sunday School Superintendent of the young children at the First United Methodist Church in Watonga for many years. His adult life was spent nurturing children in his various roles. A positive “Pied Piper” with children. His gentle nature and witty disposition drew people to him. Many adults will remember him by his witty personality.

In 1994 he and his wife Peggy retired from Watonga schools, moving to McAlester where their daughter and grandsons lived. His joy in life has been spending time with his grandsons and following them wherever they have had school activities, particularly tennis matches. At Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, he served on church committees plus driving the bus for the elementary children’s after school program.

In 2010 George and Peggy moved to Spanish Cove Retirement Village in Yukon. He enjoyed playing golf on most any good weather day with his friends from Spanish Cove. He was also a bowler, being a state bowling champion. He and Peggy attended Yukon First United Methodist Church where he greatly enjoyed his Sunday School class.

He is predeceased by his father and mother, Ralph and Altha Sanger Givens; his stepmother, Ruth Vale Givens; two stepsisters, Bonnie Vale Mooney and Virginia Vale Givens; and his sister- in-law, Da Jauna Shelton Givens. Surviving him are his wife Peggy, daughter Jill Givens Olsen and three grandsons, Jeff and Anna Olsen, Chad and Kayci Olsen, Tucker and Rachel Olsen and five great grandchildren, Paisley, Paxton, Elena, Eloise and Thomas all of Broken Arrow, OK. Also surviving him are his brother Richard Givens of Elk City, OK, and brothers in law, John Smith of Strong City, OK and Randy Smith of Phoenix AZ, half-sister Betty Ruth Givens and one stepsister Shirley Walker of Hammon OK, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life services will be held at First United Methodist Church in Yukon on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 2 P.M.

Online condolences may be signed at www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, OK.