Funeral service for Bro. Harold Gene Gaches will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at First Baptist West.

Burial will be at a later date in New Sonora Cemetery in Henryetta, Oklahoma under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The service may be viewed on the First Baptist West Facebook page or YouTube channel.

Bro.Harold Gene Gaches was born on August 25, 1963, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Alfred Eugene Gaches, Sr. and Linda Marie Ellis Gaches.  He departed this life on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at the age of 61 in Lawton, Oklahoma.

He graduated high school at Schulter, Oklahoma in 1981.  He went on to Conners State College in Warner, Oklahoma where he received his associate's degree.  He then went to East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma and while there, served as Youth Minister at Oak Avenue Baptist Church. Harold met Martha Ann Petete.  They married on September 14, 1984 in Ada.

Harold started his career as a math teacher and girls basketball coach in Milfay, Oklahoma, where he became part time Youth Pastor, and later the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Milfay.  In 2001, the Lord called him into full-time pastoral ministry at First Baptist Church in Tipton, Oklahoma.  In 2011 God called him to First Baptist West in Lawton, Oklahoma where he was serving at the time of his passing.

Harold loved basketball, OU and The Thunder.  He had a great sense of humor and loved leading people in themed events.  His passion was for the local church and discipling God's people in a closer walk with the Lord.  He set an example of how you can have fun and still honor Christ.  He loved the 4th of July and Thanksgiving with family, but his favorite holiday was Christmas – all things Christmas and Hallmark.

He is survived by his wife, Martha, of the home,  Sheri Gaches of  Czech Republic, Stephanie (Travis) Reimer and Jade (Nathan) Woods all of Moore, Oklahoma and granddaughter, Emerson Marie Woods  brothers: Charles Gaches, Jimmy (Eugenia) Gaches, Alfred Eugene, Jr. (Beth) Gaches and Robert (Evelyn) Gaches, sisters, Norma (Roger) Brians, Darlene (Gary) Watts, brothers-in-law, Gary Petete, David (Tina) Petete, Dwight (Cheryl) Petete, mother-in-law, Imogene Petete  and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Harold was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Eugene Gaches, Sr. and his mother, Linda Marie Gaches, sister, Mildred Osmun, father-in-law, Clyde Wayne Petete, and mother-in-law, Wanda Faye Petete.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist West Building Fund, 7302 N.W. Cache Road, Lawton, OK 73505.