Gary England

Gary Alan England was known throughout North America as a pioneering television meteorologist, the creator of life-saving severe weather warning systems, and the most trusted voice during severe weather for two generations of Oklahomans.

He was born in Seiling, Oklahoma, October 3, 1939. He died at age 85 in Oklahoma City on June 10, 2025. As a young boy, Gary was intrigued by clouds and storms. He followed that special interest and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in mathematics and meteorology in 1965 after serving two years in the U.S. Navy.

After beginning his career in New Orleans in 1967 as a meteorologist and oceanographer, Gary moved to Oklahoma City to join KTOK radio in 1971 and became known as the "Weather Wizard". In 1972, he started his 41-year career at KWTV where he soon became a leader in the technological revolution in the world of television meteorology. He influenced countless weather forecasters in radio, television, and government service with his cutting-edge technological advancements.

In 1982, Gary was the first television meteorologist in the world to broadcast a tornado warning using a commercial Doppler radar. In 1990, he developed First Warning, a map in the corner of the television screen which alerts viewers of severe weather. More than three decades ago, Gary helped create Storm Tracker, the computer program that predicts the time a severe storm will arrive in a particular community. Throughout his career, it was not unusual for Gary to issue a tornado warning 10 minutes ahead of the National Weather Service. He believed that when a person is running to shelter, a few minutes can be the difference between life and death.

The pinnacle of Gary’s career of saving lives perhaps was May 3, 1999, when one of the strongest tornadoes on record devastated Central Oklahoma. Using his ability to analyze data and with the help of technology, he gave Oklahomans several hours notice that “This could be the big one.” After the deadly storm, state and local officials credited Gary with saving countless lives. He did so with a calming voice. He made his message to viewers simple and easy to understand, avoiding highly technical terms. He spoke directly to children who were at home alone and instructed them how to protect themselves should a tornado hit their home.

Gary was a hero to generations of Oklahomans and a world class friend to many people.

At his death, Gary had been married to the love of his life, Mary, for 63 years. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Lesley England of Seiling, brother, Richard England, and sister, Darla Chain. He is survived by his wife, Mary, their daughter, Molly England Lutosky and husband, Mike, granddaughters, Chloe England Lutosky, Cassidy Lutosky Meyer and husband, Mitch, and brother, Phil England and wife, Susan.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Crossings Community Church, 14600 North Portland Avenue, Oklahoma City, at 1:00 pm Friday, June 20 for one last FRIDAY NIGHT in the BIG TOWN!

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to a scholarship fund being established in Gary England's honor. Checks, made payable to the OU Foundation, can be mailed to The University of Oklahoma Foundation, P.O. Box 258856, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8856, please note Gary's name with your gift or click here to donate online.

To watch the service online, click here.