Gary Isaac Leff finished his earthly journey May 15th, at the age of 69. He was born in Portland, Indiana, to Henry Herbert Leff and Alberta Ehrhart Leff on January 20, 1954.
Gary grew up in Muncie, Indiana, where he attended Northside High School and Taylor University. Graduate school at ORU brought him to Tulsa, where he settled, started a family and became a Certified Financial Planner.
Over the past ten years, he was challenged by a rare neurological disorder called Multiple System Atrophy-Cerebellar Type (MSA-C), for which there is yet no known cure. Never bitter or angry, he still projected the Love of God to friends who visited faithfully through the last painful and bedridden months.
In youth, Gary enjoyed swim team and pole vaulting, managing the community pool and the lifeguards, and playing tennis. He adored horses.
His adult passions were creating music, singing and playing guitar and piano, the land of Israel and the Hebrew language. His favorite biblical Hebrew word was "Chesed," which he translated 'God's Compassionate, Merciful, Permanent, Covenant Love,' included as one of the original songs on his legacy CD, Chesed : Three Letters From God.
Sensitive to the suffering of others, including animals, he aspired to a vegan diet. Disturbed always by religious hatred and killing, his motto was, "Doctrine divides - the Love of/for God unifies." He also hated the thought of children going hungry.
A natural teacher, Gary taught his clients the value of saving responsibly. He taught his children how to work hard, use tools, and do household projects. He taught us beautiful worship songs. Finally, over the last years he taught all of us how to face adversity with perseverance, grace and dignity.
Gratitude goes to Saint Francis Hospice, Jorge Chairez and Margie Franks for their care.
Gary is survived by his wife of 43 years, Martha Ann Leff, step-daughter Lisabeth Davis Bush, step-son Jemes Alan Davis (Debbie), son Ariel Paul Leff (Bailey), son Joseph Asher Leff (Genevieve), brother David James Leff (Karen), step-brother Richard Fisher and step-sister Susan Eldridge. He had four grandchildren, Hague Bush (Savannah), Sagel Bush, Micah Leff and Abigail Leff, and one great-grandchild.
Services will be Thursday, May 25th, at Temple Israel at 12:30 p.m. Gary will be eulogized by his friend Reverend Doctor Trevor Grizzle.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma - Chesed Project.