A native of South Dakota, Gary Sokoll is a professor in the funeral service department at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma.  Gary is the department chair and has instructed several of the funeral service courses including Embalming, Restorative Art, Embalming Chemistry, Statutory Law, Management I, Psychology of Grief, Orientation, History, Practicum, and Counseling.  He is an author, licensed funeral director/embalmer and former prosecuting attorney.   In addition, Gary has produced educational embalming and restorative art videos.

Gary received his Bachelor of Science  degree from the University of Central Oklahoma (then known as Central State University), majoring in funeral service.  He attended graduate school at South Dakota State University majoring in counseling and guidance and received his M.Ed.  Gary went on to attend the University of South Dakota law school, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree.  He became a prosecutor for the Office of the State's Attorney in Rapid City, South Dakota before returning to Oklahoma and his association with U.C.O.

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