Richard S. "Duck" Gazalski, a longtime Henryetta resident and businessman, died Jan. 27, 2021 in Muskogee at the age of 86. He was was born May 8, 1934 to John Joseph Gazalski and Mary Cecelia (Hutton) Gazalski in 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.
His 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 he 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.
Dick was preceded in death by his older brother, Donald Eugene Gazalski of Dallas.
He is survived by his younger brother, John Vernon Gazalski of Kellyville; a daughter, Rosalind Carella of Los Altos, Calif., and son, Richard
Scott Gazalski II of Henryetta; grandchildren: Justin Carella and wife Shelley, Chris Thomas of California, Rebecca & Carson LaValley of Henryetta and Donavon Gazalski of Tulsa.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to the Okmulgee County Animal Shelter or St. Michaels Catholic Church.
Arrangements under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service, 410 E Main, Henryetta.
Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 from 1 to 8 p.m. at Integrity Funeral Service.
Rosary Service is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 at 10 a.m. at Integrity Funeral Chapel with funeral services immediately following.
Interment will follow services at Westlawn Cemetery, Henryetta.
Pallbearers serving are Cecio Cummings, Derrick Thomas, Andy Bealko, Carson LaValley, Dennis Gooden, Donovan Gazalski and Brian Anderson.