Obituary: Gary Shotton

Gary was born in Lamar, Colorado, to the late Aubrey and Betty Shotton and grew up on a wheat farm in Eads, Colorado, learning hard work and perseverance. He attended the Colorado School of Mines, played football, and earned a Mining Engineering degree in 1974.

On August 19, 1973, Gary married Cynthia Lu “Cindy” McVicker. They moved to Greybull, Wyoming, where he worked as an engineer for Dresser Industries until 1982. They later relocated to Broken Arrow, OK and graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in 1984.

While at Rhema, Gary founded D.T.L. Moving (“Dedicated To The Lord”), which later became DeTaiL Moving and Storage. Under his leadership, it grew into a successful national moving company affiliated with Atlas Van Lines. Gary sold the company in 2001. That same year, he founded Global Business Success Foundation (GBSF), better known as Inspiring Better Business (IBB), helping others apply Godly principles to build businesses and “Break The Chains of Poverty”. He co-authored God’s Laws for Business, taught in more than 35 countries, and saw the book translated into 12 languages.

In 2006, he purchased Auto-Turn Manufacturing, a machine shop, operating it until selling it in March 2022. Gary was a member of the Broken Arrow Rotary Club, President in 2013–2014. He was an active member in Church on the Move—hosting youth activities, teaching middle school students, serving as ushers/greeters, and volunteering for the Christmas Train.

Near the end of his life, Gary wrote Step by Step, his autobiography on how God directed his life and faith guided his choices.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy; his children, Vince and Andrea Shotton, Travis and Shauna Wortinger, and Bryon and Angela Shotton; grandchildren Jacob, Emma, Devin, Ashlyn, Brooke, Caleb, and Brianna; and siblings Mike Shotton, Shelly Phillips, and Steve Shotton. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Doug.

Gary loved God and loved people, always willing to talk, befriend, and help others. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 29th, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Church On The Move (1003 N 129th E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74116) in the 180 Room.