JAY, Okla. — Gary M. Breneman, 70, of the Grand Lake area, Jay, Okla., and a former longtime Parsons resident, died at 9:52 a.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. Death followed a year-long illness and complications from myasthenia gravis.

He was born in Parsons on April 20, 1940, to Melvin V. and Ethel F. (Daniel) Breneman. He attended Parsons schools and the Oklahoma Military Academy at Claremore. During his childhood he became a member of the Methodist Church. His mother died when he was 9 years old, in 1949, and later his father married Helaine Wright.

On Feb. 1, 1959, he married Ardith Osborne at Drumright, Okla. She survives of the home at Grand Lake.

He owned and operated the family business, Melvin’s Auto Parts, in Parsons for many years, selling it in 1996. For 10 years he was a partner in the Countryside Farm and Home Store in Parsons.

He was an avid hummingbird watcher and feeder and loved to boat and fish. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling on his motorcycle. After death, he became an eye donor.

Survivors include his wife, Ardith Breneman of the home; a son, Chris Breneman and his wife, Rosie, of Parsons; four grandchildren, Christopher Michael Breneman of San Antonio, Texas, Amanda Jane Breneman-Esquivel and her husband, A.J., of Houston, Ryan Christopher Breneman of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Jacob L. Breneman of Rolla, Mo.; a great-grandson; a sister, Carole Hanvy and her husband, Jerry, of Tuscon, Ariz.; an aunt, Agnes Munson of Nowata, Okla.; a nephew, North Charles of Kansas City, Mo.; and a niece, Cortney Charles of Parsons.

He was preceded in death by a son, Scott Breneman; his parents; and his stepmother, Helaine Breneman.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons. Following the service the family requests that friends join them for lunch and a time of visiting at the Sirloin Stockade restaurant in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation. They may be left at or sent to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com.