Gary Don Rust

Gary Don Rust, 79, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at his home Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Gary was born June 22, 1946, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to Alfred Hayes Rust and Letha Mae Capps Rust. He attended Sperry Public Schools and graduated from Sperry High School, where he was active in the FFA and excelled in football and basketball. After high school, he attended Northeastern Oklahoma College in Miami, Oklahoma. He also served in the National Guard.

Gary was the father to 3 children. Sons, Michael and Marcus who passed in infancy and daughter, Major Dawn (Sis) who was the light of his life. Sis was his pride and joy and that never changed. He didn’t know that he could love anyone more until his grandchildren Dakota and Mallory were born. He absolutely loved when they would come to stay with him for the weekend. He would take them fishing at his ponds; they would ride the 4-wheeler and make chocolate milk shakes before bed. In 2022, his love grew even more when his great grandson, Waylon was born. The joy on his face watching Waylon run around the front yard or playing with his monster trucks on the living room floor, was priceless.

On June 22nd, 1998, he married the love of his life Laura in Eureka Springs. They made their home north of Tahlequah on 100 acres where they had goats and cattle. Over the years, they did a lot of fishing at their ponds, working in the flower beds, as well as having a huge vegetable garden. In the evenings, they loved sitting on the porch for hours, listening to all of the sounds of the insects and birds, and watching for any wildlife that may appear. Due to declining health, they sold the farm and built a home south of Tahlequah where he spent his last days surrounded by the ones he loved most.

Gary was a farmer, rancher, and cowboy, who farmed in various places throughout his life. He loved to ride horses and when he wasn’t working, he and Sis along with lots of friends would go trail riding and camping. Gary also loved to fish. In recent years, he and his cousin, Mike, would take the boat out to go fishing. Even if they didn’t catch anything, the time spent with Mike was enough for him.

He was always particular about the way his place looked. The yard had to be mowed; he made sure to weed-eat the fence line, and the pasture would have to be brush hogged. He was proud of his home and wanted to make sure it reflected that. Gary was always very prideful, and losing his ability to do those things was not easy for him. He had recently said that he would be able to take care of his property this summer.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Hayes and Letha Mae Rust; and two sons, Michael Dale Rust and Marcus Alan Rust.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Belle Rust; his daughter, Dawn Mitchell (Emily Boolin) of Broken Arrow; grandchildren, Dakota Mitchell of Lytle, Texas and Mallory Mitchell and great-grandson, Waylon Wilson of Broken Arrow; sisters, Rhonda Lane of Broken Arrow, and Kim (Ray) Caviness of Tahlequah; nephews, Stacy (Thayl) Lane of Broken Arrow and Joseph (Dana) Caviness or Tahlequah; his niece, Beth Parris (Anthony Carter) of Tahlequah; and a host of extended family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Gary Stepp, Wesley Stepp, Stacy Lane, Joseph Caviness, Kevin Parris, and Anthony Carter. Honorary pallbearers are Dakota Mitchell, Waylon Wilson, Ray Caviness, Mike Matthews, Steven Matthews, and Dylan Parris.

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at Hart Funeral Home in Tahlequah.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 11:00 AM, in the Chapel of Hart Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Tahlequah City Cemetery.