Katherine "Kathy" DeVer Gallegos

February 13, 1956 - June 9, 2019

Katherine DeVer Harris Gallegos, 63, of Sulphur, OK, passed away Sunday June 9, 2019 after a long battle with cancer. Katherine (Kathy) was born in Wynnewood, OK on February 13, 1956 to Tommy (Tom) R Harris and LaVina Idell (Johnson) Harris. She attended grade school in Bonanza, OR and Sulphur, OK and graduated from Sulphur High School in 1974. Kathy earned her BS degrees from East Central University in Ada, OK in Biology and Chemistry and then went on to Murray State College in Tishomingo, OK to become a Registered Veterinary Technologist in 1981. Following graduation, she moved to Guymon, OK to take a position at Henry C. Hitch Feedlot where she was the first woman to oversee herd health for > 100,000 cattle at this site. There, she participated in research projects to improve animal health and was a member of the team that achieved the first drug free certification for a feedlot in the world. It was also there that she met the love of her life, Elifonso (Fonz) Gallegos, and they were married on June 18, 1985. Both Kathy and Fonz continued to work in the feedlot for another 5 years and then relocated back to Sulphur in 1990. Kathy then returned to Murray State College to teach in the veterinary technology program for 22 years. Among her accomplishments at Murray State were helping to develop the teaching program, assisting with the development of nutrition as an area of specialization for veterinary technicians, and she served as a staff representative for the Murray State Board of Regents. She was named Oklahoma Veterinary Technician of the Year in 1996. and oversaw the teaching laboratories at the Southwest Veterinary Conference for many years. Kathy’s compassion for animals, dedication to student learning, and passion for veterinary technology caused the students to affectionately refer to her as “Mama Bear”. Kathy’s greatest gift was always taking time to serve others, even before herself. Besides being a great teacher and mentor, she challenged her children and grandchildren to achieve their best and was very proud of their accomplishments. Despite her illness, she maintained ties to her family and her students, and served as a counselor for those needing direction. Kathy helped to establish a Santa Night for low income children in the Tishomingo area and assisted with Cowboy Church at Murray State. She is best known for her great smile. Kathy is survived by her husband, Fonz, and her sister, LaFaina Harris, of Sulphur. Kathy has three step-children: Gene Gallegos of Guymon, OK; Rita Jo, and son-in-law, Donnie Ramer, of Sulphur, OK; and Bernita Rittenhouse of Eufaula, OK, 9 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. Kathy is survived by 2 aunts: Betty Johnson of Oklahoma City, OK and Jo Harris of Pell City, AL and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents. A memorial service will be held at 1030 am on Friday, June 14, 2019 at the Sulphur United Methodist Church, with Pastor Jim Shepherd officiating. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Wynnewood under direction of DeArman Funeral Home of Sulphur. Pallbearers will be Banks O’Kelly, Matthew Gallegos, George Gallegos, Clay Reeder, Marc Reed, Justin Reed. Honorary pallbearers will be students and staff of the Veterinary Technology program at Murray State, Lynetta Freeman and Kathleen Hatmaker. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Murray State College Veterinary Technology program http://www.mscok.edu/academics/departments/veterinary_technology.aspx. Online condolences may be sent to www.dearmanfuneralhome.com.