Gary Leon Cordes , 60, Minot, died Friday, June 13, 2014 in a motor vehicle accident north of Arapaho, OK while visiting family and participating in annual wheat harvest.

Gary Cordes was born July 27, 1953 in Clinton, OK to Joe Dick and Mary Geraldine "Gerrie" Cordes.

Gary was raised in Clinton, OK and attended Clinton Schools graduating in 1971. He continued his education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK but his education was put on hold while he served time in the U.S. Army. After he was honorably discharged he moved to Eldorado, Oklahoma and worked for the Eldorado Coop and later transferred to the Clinton Coop. He returned to Southwestern and achieved a degree in Accounting. Gary opened and operated Cordes Bookkeeping and Accounting for 20 years as well as farmed in Clinton, OK. He moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota in December of 1998 and worked for the Farm Credit Services as a Senior Tax Specialist in the Grand Forks and Grafton, ND offices. In April of 2003, Gary moved to Minot and was employed with Gerdeau Ameristeel. In 2007 he went to work for Magic City Implement and Magic City Oil, most recently managing the fuel and oil division. Gary was employed by Magic City Implement and Oil at the time of his death.

Gary was an honorary member of the Future Farmers of America in Clinton and attended Our Redeemer\'s Lutheran Brethren Church in Minot. Gary accepted Christ as his savior in his family's home church at the age of 9.

Gary is survived by his fiance Leann Zablotney, Minot, mother, Gerrie Cordes, Clinton, OK, Adam and Spring Cordes (Emily, Haley, Erika and Cheston) Arapaho, OK, Stacy and Dusty Robison (Brandon) Wolfforth, TX, Travis and Kerri Zablotney (Karlee and Tate), Tiffanie and Barry Fettig (McKinzie, Kelsie and Kyllie) all of Minot, North Dakota.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Joe Dick and sister, Suzi Duff.

A Memorial Service will be held to celebrate Gary\'s life on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Our Redeemer\'s Lutheran Brethren Church, Minot.
Gary\'s earthly body has been buried in the Mound Valley Cemetery in Thomas, OK.