GARY ERNEST
Gary Ernest, age 79, of Owasso, Oklahoma, formerly of Breckenridge, passed away, Sunday, February 1, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 7th at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church with Father Don Sackett officiating. Interment with Masonic Rites will follow in the Breckenridge Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., Friday, February 6th at Morehart Mortuary.
Gary Grant Ernest was born May 15, 1946 in Wheeling, West Virginia to parents, Kenneth Ernest and Hettie Pauline Phillips Ernest. On September 14, 1963, he married Betty Sue Hartzell in Morgantown, West Virginia. He later graduated from Cameron High School in 1964. Gary then furthered his education, graduating from West Virginia Bankers School of Banking in 1968 and Mellon National Bankers School of Banking in 1971. He worked at First National Bank of Cameron from 1964 until 1976, when the Ernest family moved to Breckenridge. Once in Breckenridge, Gary worked for the City of Breckenridge for many years. He served as the City Secretary, Tax Assessor-Collector, Director of Finance and finally City Manager. Gary was the City Manager for the City of Breckenridge from 1992 until his retirement in 2010. Betty passed in 2014 and soon after, Gary moved to Owasso, Oklahoma to be closer to his family.
Gary was an active member of every community. In West Virginia, he was a part of the City Council, the Volunteer Fire Department, Sportsman’s Club and the First Christian Church of Cameron Board, among others. The same goes for his time in Breckenridge, where he served on the United Fund Board, the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Historic Breckenridge and the Stephens County Humane Society, to name a few. Gary was an active member of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Breckenridge and was a member of the local Masonic Lodges, in both Cameron and Breckenridge. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Melissa D. Crutchley; and one daughter-in-law, Sokonthea Kong Ernest.
Gary is survived by one son, Michael G. Ernest of Richardson; four grandchildren, Kristen Ernest Shollar and husband Brian, Kimberlee Ernest Carroll and husband James, Gary Crutchley, Gabriel Crutchley; two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Andrew’s Anglican Church and may be left at Morehart Mortuary. Condolences may be made online at www.morehartmortuary.net.