Gary Steinbring was born and raised in southern Illinois by Elmore Forrest “Frosty” and Virgina Grace Steinbring. Gary was one of five boys they raised. After graduating high school, Gary joined the Army. He was barely 17 years old at the time, and served in the Army for three years. While in the Army in Milwaukee, Gary made ten parachute jumps. After being in the Army, Gary went to work for Humble Oil which later became Exxon. He worked for Exxon in Illinois from 1962-1966, then moved to Oklahoma until 1993. Gary then moved with Exxon to California until he retired from Exxon in 1997. At this time, he came back “home” to Oklahoma. Exxon had a four-member team they sent to work in California on a $2 Billion Project and Gary was one of four members. They went to Santa Barbara, California. Gary also was picked to go to Alaska when Exxon had the Valdez Oil Spill. In 1989 the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling 11 million gallons of oil. The ecologically sensitive location, season of the year, and large scale of this spill resulted in one of the largest environmental disasters in U.S. history. Gary spent 1989-1990 in Alaska working. He stated the work duty was terrible, people hated us but the views of Alaska were the best. Gary flew in helicopters to sign off on the beaches that had oil on them. Gary said he got to see views of Alaska that even people that lived there didn’t see. Gary did get to bear hunt once, and caught lots of fish!
While Gary was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the Army he met a girl that caught his eye. Her name Dandy, and she was in high school and worked at a bank. When Gary got out of the service, he told her “You have two weeks to marry me, if you want too” and we did. Apparently, two weeks is long enough to know if you’re in love because they celebrated 59 years of marriage. When they moved to Oklahoma, Dandy was a cook at Hennessey Public Schools. Within those 59 years, they welcomed two children. Kim who lives in Topeka, KS and Gary Jr. Edmond, OK. Gary has two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Gary loves hunting and fishing. He has hunted in Alaska three times, but his favorite place is to hunt is his Lacey Farm. Gary also likes to cook and bake. While doing water walking at the town pool, he brings cookies to the children he has made. Faith and family are two of Gary’s priorities. Gary and his brothers had made a pack to always get together annually to see each other. They have held up to their word and have met up in Colorado, Mexico, Arkansas and Illinois so far. Gary also is a member of the St. Joseph’s Men’s Club, served on two different city boards- The board of Adjustment and the planning commission. When asked what his best accomplishments were in life, without hesitation, Gary said, “Dandy and I raising two excellent children. I’m proud of them”. Gary never met a stranger and continues to live life to the fullest on Meramec Street here in Hennessey. Advice Gary would give is “Love each other, God loves you and I love you!” Story and Picture by AAH Shelley Muzny.
