Dick Gazalski

Dick was born to John Joseph Gazalski and Mary Cecelia (Hutton) Gazalski in
Henryetta. Dick was preceded in death by his older brother, Donald Eugene Gazalski
of Dallas and is survived by his younger brother, John Vernon Gazalski of Kellyville.

Dick is also survived by a daughter, Rosalind Carella of Los Altos, California and son, Richard
Scott Gazalski II of Henryetta. Grandchildren: Rebecca LaValley and husband Carson of Henryetta, Oklahoma, Donavon Gazalski of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Christopher Carella and wife Shelley, and Justin Carella of California, three great grandchildren, Leonardo, Alexander, and Emilia, his beloved canine companions, Dee and Coy and closest friends Cecil Cummings, Derrick Thomas, Andy Bealko and Brian Anderson.

“Duck” as he was known, was a lifelong resident of Henryetta. He attended St. Michaels
Catholic School and was a member of the St. Michaels Catholic Church. In 1951, at the age
of 17, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. and served in the Korean War. After the war, he attended Draughn’s Business College.

Duck’s father, John Joseph Gazalski was the innovator of what would later become G & H Decoy. John created his first goose decoy out of heavy paper stock in a garage on Trudgeon St. When he had it perfected, he showed it to his father-in-law, Jesse Hutton. The original design was known as “The Henryettan” decoy. Duck grew up working around the shop and when he was 12, he started painting decoys. Three painters could paint 100 decoys a day and they earned a nickel per decoy.

As Duck got older, he became an innovator in decoy design and was manufacturing the most
sought after decoys in the industry. The business grew and Henryetta became known as the
“Decoy Capital of the World.” He was proud to be at the helm of a business that had such humble beginnings in 1934, the same year he was born. Duck was still running G & H Decoy
at the time of his passing.

Duck was an avid animal lover and his dogs, Dee and Coy, were never far from his side. He enjoyed boxing, bluegrass, old country music and OU football. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests donations be made in his name to the Okmulgee County Animal Shelter.

Arrangements under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service, 410 E Main, Henryetta, Oklahoma.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, January 31st, 2021 from 1:00PM to 8:00PM at Integrity

Funeral Service are scheduled for 10:00AM Monday, February 1st, 2021 at Integrity Funeral Service Chapel, Henryetta, Oklahoma.

Interment will follow services at Westlawn Cemetery, Henryetta, Oklahoma

Pallbearers serving are Cecil Cummings, Derrick Thomas, Andy Bealko, Carson LaValley, Dennis Gooden, Donavon Gazalski, Brian Anderson, and Justin Carella.

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