Gay DouglasBlackwell, OK

Gay Douglas

February 21, 1939 - June 4, 2026

Gay L. “Patten” Douglas, of Tonkawa, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones, on June 4, 2026. Born on February 21, 1939, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, Gay lived a remarkable life marked by love, adventure, service, and devotion to family. The funeral ceremony will be held in the chapel at Trout Funeral Home, 505 Thunderbird Rd., Tonkawa, Oklahoma, 74653, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 2:30 P.M. For those unable to attend the funeral service, there will be a virtual livestream on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com , where you can click on the live stream, or the toolbar icon in the top right-hand corner. The service will be officiated by the Honorable Chaplain Gary Wilburn with ACG Hospice. Internment will immediately follow at Blackwell Cemetery, 2244 S. Main St., Blackwell Oklahoma, 74631.

An only child, Gay was born to Harold and Ora Christine Patten and was raised in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Gay graduated from Blackwell High School, where she was an active member of the drama department. Following graduation, Gay moved to California with her first husband, who was stationed at Camp Pendleton with the United States Marine Corps. While living in California, Gay experienced the heartbreaking loss of her firstborn child, who passed away only three days after birth, while Gay battled for her own survival.

After returning to Ponca City several years later, Gay and her husband were both employed selling cars for Edwards Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge Automotive. Gay was elated to welcome her children, first, her daughter Lisa, and shortly thereafter, her son, Michael. While her children were small, Gay worked for Ponca City Savings and Loan for many years. Eventually, Gay and her family owned and operated a successful plumbing business while raising their young family in Ponca City.

While attending Oklahoma State University, Gay’s then-husband, had the rare opportunity to move the family to live, and work in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for six years. During her time abroad, Gay worked for Bryan Cave International Law Offices. A true pioneer, Gay was among the first employees selected to travel to St. Louis, where Attorneys at Law, Bryan Cave & Associates, taught her how to operate the Wang computer system, which she later implemented at Bryan Cave International in Riyadh. In the early 1980s, Gay continued her career with attorney, John V. Lonsberg, who opened the firm's Riyadh law offices. During her years in Saudi Arabia, Gay traveled extensively, and visited over thirty countries, circling the globe more than five times for both work and pleasure.

Following her years abroad, Gay returned to Ponca City as a single woman and became one of the founding members of a local Bank, eventually serving as Vice President. It was through the bank that she met the love of her life, Edwin Douglas, who was introduced to her by a mutual friend. After a brief courtship, the two were married in Las Vegas at the Little White Chapel, surrounded by their closest friends. Together they made their home in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, where Gay resided until her passing.

Gay and Edwin shared a wonderful life filled with, family, friends, travel, and cherished memories. Among their favorite destinations were Acapulco and Hawaii. Shortly after their marriage, Gay retired from banking to care for her ailing father, and her mother. She lovingly welcomed both parents into her home and assumed responsibility for the family farming operation, continuing a proud legacy as a fifth-generation Oklahoma landowner. Her father, Harold Patten, passed away in 1991, and her mother, Ora Christine Patten, remained with Gay until her passing in 2012.

Throughout her life, Gay was extremely active in her community and served on many boards and charities. Gay was a generous supporter of education and community service. She served on the Board of the Opportunity Center at Pioneer Technology Center in Ponca City and gave freely of her time to causes she believed in.

Gay was a sixteen-year survivor of a rare form of kidney cancer and faced every challenge with grace, courage, and determination. Gay loved entertaining and cooking with Eddie. Both were famous among family and friends for their dinner parties, and hospitality. An accomplished pianist from an early age, Gay also enjoyed remodeling, gardening, caring for her koi pond, reading, writing, cooking, traveling, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends. She was an avid fan of Oklahoma Sooners athletics, the Oklahoma City Thunder, women's softball, and especially, any sporting event involving her grandchildren.

Above all, Gay treasured her family. She was a devoted mother, and a wonderful grandmother, who delighted in the lives and accomplishments of her grandchildren. Her generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness, and unwavering love touched countless lives. She lived a truly extraordinary life and was an inspiration to all who loved her.

Gay is survived by her daughter, Lisa Edwards; son, Michael Edwards; and her grandchildren, Christopher, Nicholas, and Alexander, who were her pride, and joy, all of Tonkawa, Oklahoma.

Gay was preceded in death by her loving parents, Harold and Ora Patten; her beloved husband, Edwin Douglas; her infant son, Paul Luther Edwards Jr; and far too many dear friends to count.

A woman of grace, strength, and boundless energy, Gay lived a big life and left behind an even bigger legacy that will continue through the generations that follow. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, or, the Opportunity Center, 3007 N. Union St., Ponca City, Oklahoma, 74601. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in honor of Gay Douglas, please visit the Trout Funeral Home website.