FREDERICK - Word has been received of the death of Gilmer Neely Capps on Aug. 27, 2019, in Oklahoma City. He reportedly was being treated at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital.
He was born Jan. 18, 1932, in Tillman County to J. Gilmer and Mary Neely Cappts of Tipton. He was a graduate of Snyder High School. He married Wan- da Lou Miller on Jan. 27, 1951. They had two children: Cynda Capps Ottaway and husband, Larry D. Ottaway, of Oklahoma City; and Gilmer John Capps and wife, Darcy Capps, of Medicine Park
He was preceded in death by Wanda after 56 years of marriage. He married Shirley Griffin Capps in 2008.
In addition to farming and ranching, he was well known throughout the state for his service in the Oklahoma State Senate, where he served for 36 consecutive years until retiring in 2006. Gilmer was the Dean of the State Senate, a title bestowed on him as the most senior senator.
He served as Chair of the Southern Legislative Conference where he made life-long friends from around the country. He loved meeting people and helping his friends and constituents. During the many years spent at the Capitol, he stayed close to his roots in southwest Oklahoma and always enjoyed returning to his farm and beloved Black Angus cattle.
The family will be available to greet friends on Sept. 2, 2019, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Becker-Rabon Funeral Home of Snyder. Services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019, at First Baptist Church, Snyder, with burial to follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, Snyder.