Gary B. Hale

Renowned Oklahoma City homebuilder Gary Hale, 73, passed away on March 23, 2026, after a five-year battle with colon cancer. Gary is best known for his work helping to establish the luxury, gated community of Gaillardia in Northwest OKC. 

An Okie through-and-through, Gary was born December 12, 1952, to Thelma and Gordon Hale in Oklahoma City, where he was raised and later graduated from John Marshall High School in 1971. He left Oklahoma City only briefly to attend Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Okla.

After graduation, Gary took a lead from his father, working at Southwestern Bell, before transitioning to a first career in oil and gas. An opportunity at Woods Petroleum, where he worked as a landman for more than a decade, drew Gary back to Oklahoma City just in time for the 80’s oil boom. During this period, Gary was an active member and served as president of the Oklahoma City Association of Petroleum Landmen. 

Gary’s true ambition was to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Clayton Hale, a successful builder in Wisconsin and Oklahoma. This work began in the early ‘90s with small projects and remodels, but Gary’s second career really launched when he built his first “spec home” in Edmond’s nascent Fairview Farms development. The Fairview project not only put him on the literal map of luxury homebuilders in Metro OKC, but also set into motion a decades-long collaboration with his sister, interior designer Christy Wallace, through their firm GBH Designs. 

In 1997, Gary was one of only 12 homebuilders invited to help launch Gaillardia; a project he was so passionate about that he often referred to it as his “playground.” Gary built nearly 30 dream homes for individuals and families in Gaillardia alone, and countless more – many for return clients who became dear friends – across Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, and Grand Lake. 

Gary spent many happy years on Grand Lake with family and friends, tending to his beautiful home and yard, and endlessly revving his prized Cigarette boat. He loved fast cars as much as fast boats – especially the 1970 Road Runner he meticulously restored – and spending Saturday mornings at Coffee & Cars. He could be found most reliably with his dog Winnie in his passenger seat or before 6 AM at the breakfast counter at Jimmy’s Egg.

Gary is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Christy & Dan Wallace, his niece Keli Elkins (her husband Nick, and their children Brett, Foster, and Whitney), and longtime friend Julie Schue. At his request, a “party” will be held in his honor on Thursday, April 2, at 4 p.m., at Quail Creek Golf & Country Club. Gary was a creative and artist at heart, and lifelong art collector; in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his honor to the Arts Council of Oklahoma City.