Service held for Tony Gwinn Gwinn 55 went to be with his

Tony Gwinn, 55, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 8, 2019. He was born James Anthony Gwinn in Oklahoma City on July 10, 1964 to James and Norma (Beal) Gwinn. Tony graduated from Newcastle High School in1982 where he played baseball and basketball. After graduation, he went to Seminole Junior College and played baseball for Coach Lloyd Simmons (“Zero”). From Seminole, he played at OCU for one year then on to OU where he played for the Sooners under Coach Enos Semore. During the summers before and after his senior year at OU, Tony played in collegiate leagues in Liberal and Wichita, KS. From the Wichita League, Tony signed with the New York Yankees where he played in the farm system at Prince William and Ft. Lauderdale.

Following his professional baseball career, Tony came back to his home town to coach baseball and basketball at his alma mater, Newcastle High School. It was during this time that he met his future wife and they were married in 1994 and soon started a family. Tony also coached at Edmond North H. S. and Southern Nazarene University. The highlight of his coaching career was the time he spent coaching young men in the Summer American Legion baseball program for Norman, the Edmond Stars, Midwest City Outlaws, and Enid Majors. Tony’s current and final career in sports was in officiating where he loved to umpire baseball, softball and referee basketball along side a brotherhood of officials.

Currently Tony was teaching PE and Health at Hefner Middle School in the Putnam City School system where he enjoyed working with friends who were very dear to him.

Tony was a fan of OU Sports and Thunder Basketball. When he wasn’t involved with sports, he enjoyed dropping a line in the water. Tony loved spending time with his family, which often involved time at the houseboat and trips to Branson. He was a member of Faith Church in OKC for the last 8+ years.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Valary Gwinn; daughters, Hannah and Sarah Gwinn; father, James Gwinn; sister, Gina Samsel and husband Steve; nieces, Torre and Mickie Langan; mother-in-law, Shirley Weaver; sister-in-law Angela Weaver; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and other loving family members as well as friends that he cherished.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma Gwinn; father-in-law, Jr. Weaver; and grandparents, Woodrow and Wanda Gwinn and Lloyd and Pearl Beal.

Services were held November 14, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at OKC Faith Church in Oklahoma City with Pastor Terry Bates, Pastor Theodore Hughes and Pastor Doug Muchow officiating. Interment was in Sunny Lane Cemetery with John M. Ireland Funeral Home and Chapel of Moore, OK in charge of arrangements.

Casketbearers were Scott Hamilton, Kevin Pearson, Jim Rachal, Jim Richardson, Rodney Harding and Aaron Garrett. Honorary beares were Todd Skinner, Tim Sanders and Keith Hamilton.