Columbus, OH — Gary Lee Scurlock, 77, of Oblong, Ill., died March 9, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Jan. 18, 1944, the son of Omar Lowell and Vivian Eloise (Sims) Scurlock. He married Mary Ann Finn on June 7, 1963, at the Free Methodist Church in Newton. He graduated from Newton Community High School in 1962.

The Scurlocks lived in Lincoln, where Mr. Scurlock worked for the State of Illinois. Upon moving back to Newton, he went to work at Sims Furniture Store and became the owner and trainer of Standardbreds under Scurlock Stables.

For many years they wintered in Aiken, S.C., training horses and in the Spring returned to Newton where they raced at Chicago racetracks, Illinois State Fairs, as well as many county fairs. Throughout his years of training horses, he trained several winners including Fantastic Dream, Juxtaposition and the first horse to pace under 2:00 in Illinois, Time Dancer.

In 1999, the Scurlocks moved to Manteno and he worked for the Manteno School District as a bus driver. Upon retirement, they moved to Oblong.

Mr. Scurlock was a member of the Newton Free Methodist Church and The USTA. He enjoyed golf, Church League softball, basketball and loved to play cards.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Ann; daughters, Lori (Mark) Kintner and Lisa (Kevin) Dallmier; sons, Lance (Lynne) and Lyle; grandchildren, Marcus (Jenna) Kintner, Kali Dallmier and Macy Kintner; great-grandchildren, Payton Kintner, Brooke Kintner, and Hallie Kintner; brother, Burl (Eleanor); and sisters, Thelma (Jim) Raupp and Linda. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son; grandparents, Vera and Doris Sims; and father- and mother-in-law, John and Goldie Finn.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at Noon on Friday (March 12) at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Ill., with Jack McCormick officiating. Burial will be in the Aten Cemetery in Hidalgo. Visitation will be held from one hour before the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Newton Free Methodist Church and can be mailed to the Scurlock Family, 106 South Washington St., Oblong, IL 62449.