Pastor Gary Alan Jamar

March 6, 1947 – August 17, 2026

Memorial Service

A memorial service celebrating the life of Pastor Gary Alan Jamar will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Trinity Baptist Church in Ada, Oklahoma.

Pastors David Gray, J.P. Williams, and Jake Munday will officiate.

Pastor Gary Alan Jamar, 79, of Ada, Oklahoma, went home to Jesus on August 17, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his beloved family.

Gary was born March 6, 1947, in Ada, Oklahoma, to Henry Chester and Lorene Myers Jamar. He attended Ada High School, where he played football for the Ada Cougars. His love for the game continued at the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated and proudly played for the mighty Crimson and Cream OU Sooners.

During his junior year at OU, Gary married the love of his life, Catherine Townsend, on January 18, 1969. Together, they shared 57 years of marriage, family, ministry, and a lifetime of serving others.

Gary received his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and devoted his life to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

His pastoral ministry included serving as pastor of First Baptist Church in Stonewall, Oklahoma; Eagles Landing in Goodyear, Arizona; and Morris Memorial Baptist Church in Latta, Oklahoma, where he retired.

Gary’s love for Jesus and his heart for people extended far beyond the churches he served. He and Catherine were instrumental in founding the Malawi Orphans Ministry in Malawi, Africa. Through this ministry, and with the continued work of Lakeside Baptist Church, countless lives have been touched by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by practical acts of love and compassion.

The ministry has cared for at-risk children by providing living quarters, food, a cantina, tutoring, and clean water. Through 65 different water-well locations, the ministry has helped provide clean water to communities in need.

For Gary, sharing Jesus meant more than words. It meant showing God’s love through service, compassion, generosity, and caring for people wherever he found them.

He was a pastor, coach, husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend. His life was devoted to Jesus Christ, his family, and serving others. His legacy will live on in the many people he encouraged, the young lives he influenced, the churches he shepherded, and the countless people around the world who experienced the love of Christ through his ministry.

Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Cathe Jamar of Ada; son, Jason Jamar and wife, Haelee, of Ada; daughter, Stephanie Jamar and husband, Billy Steele, of Byng; son, Jonathan Jamar and wife, Jacye, of Ada; and bonus son, Josh Vincent.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tyler Morris, Kaeden Jones, Jace Jones, Abraham Jamar, Jamison Jamar, Brinlee Jamar, Brian Jamar, Beckett Jamar, and Leighton Jamar.

Though his family and friends grieve the tremendous loss of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and friend, they find comfort knowing that Gary is now in the presence of the Savior he faithfully served throughout his life.

His race is finished.

His work on earth is complete.

And he is finally home with Jesus.

The family suggests that those who wish to honor Gary’s memory may make memorial contributions to:

Malawi Orphans Ministries

P.O. Box 66

Ada, Oklahoma 74820

In a life dedicated to sharing Jesus with others, perhaps Gary’s greatest legacy is the number of people who will continue to hear about Christ because he chose to spend his life telling them.