Gaylord Middaugh

Gaylord Harvey Middaugh, age 86, passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2023. He was born in Emporia, Kansas to his parents Harvey Gaylord Middaugh and Gladys Frances Frost-Middaugh.

Gaylord graduated from Planeview Schools near Wichita, Kansas. He lettered in golf and played trombone in the band in high school. Gaylord had life-long friendships with many of his classmates.

In 1955 Gaylord enlisted in the United States Navy and served for 2 and a half years. He admired his uncles that served during wartime. He was commissioned to the USS Essex (CV-9) Aircraft Carrier as an Electrician during World War II and the Korean War peacetime period. During his time in the Navy, he traveled around the world leaving port in San Diego California, sailing around South America with stops in Chile, rounding Cape Horn, across the Atlantic Ocean to Hong Kong 12/8/56 - 12/15/56, Genoa Italy, Cannes France 3/31/1958 - 4/11/1958; Athens Greece 6/18/58 - 6/25/58; Barcelona, Spain, 5/2/58 - 5/8/58 and on to Valencia, Spain, 5/9/58 - 5/16/58. Some of his favorite stories from the Navy were watching bullfighting in Spain, going onshore in the Philippines, and crossing the Equator for the first time. He was always proud and supporting of the United States military.

Gaylord married his wife Margo Ann Middaugh of 63 years on August 5^th, 1960, right after his honorable discharge from the Navy. They had four children, six grandchildren, and a great grandchild.

After the Navy, Gaylord worked for his father’s brother-in-law as an Electrician at Murphy Electric Company. Then he worked as an airplane electrician at Martin Marietta, as a Technician for Latta Distributing Company, and then as a Technician for Xerox Corporation. Xerox became his career for a total of 28 years where he held several roles as a Technician, Sales, and Systems Analyst. He took a brief break from Xerox over that time working at SSS Corporation, eventually becoming VP of Sales. Gaylord also started a company called Business Systems, Inc. where he served as President.

While working at Xerox, Gaylord met his lifelong friend Larry Gardner. They had many mishaps and adventures working with computers from the day they were a thing, working on cars, watching sports, fishing, completing home projects, cruising on the boat, enjoying a cold drink, getting regular haircuts, shooting pool, and talked almost daily.

Gaylord gave 17 years of service to the Ski Island Home Owners Association on the lake and neighborhood he called home. If it was cleaning up the streets and shoreline, mowing the islands, repairing the dam, pulling logs out of the water, Gaylord was there to help.

Gaylord was known for his hilarious quips and famous sayings. He also enjoyed playing piano, playing guitar, singing, playing sports with the kids, cooking, and watching conservative news. He was a dedicated Republican.

Gaylord is preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Gladys Middaugh and daughter Kimberly Dawn Middaugh.  He is survived by his wife Margo Ann Middaugh, his three sons James Jay Middaugh, John Jacob Middaugh, and Jeffrey Joseph Middaugh, his six grandchildren Mark James Middaugh, Michael Gene Middaugh, Leo Anthony Middaugh, Lorelei Dawn Middaugh, Mason Edward Middaugh, and Emery Nicole Middaugh and a great grandchild Mae Jeanne Middaugh. Gaylord loved his family very much, gave everlasting support, and was very proud of all of them.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Bellevue Health & Rehabilitation, Legend at Council Road Senior Living, and Valir Hospice for all their love and support.

Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions to The Alzheimer's Association or any organization of your choice.