Tanja Gay Aguilar obituary

Tanja Gay Aguilar of Heavener was born on Oct. 17, 1960 in Paris, Texas to James and Gladys Whitmire and passed away on Feb. 5, 2026 in Heavener at the age of 65.

Memorial service to celebrate Tanja’s life is 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Freedom House Fellowship Church in Heavener with Brother Sam Dyer officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home in Heavener.

Tanja passed quietly, leaving behind a family who will forever miss her music, her sharp wit, and her unmistakable presence (which, truthfully, was never subtle). She was a longtime resident of the area and retired from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, where she worked in the Law Library for 14 years. Tanja was a gifted singer and a wonderful pianist, filling rooms—and sometimes entire the church with music. Through her time at Freedom House Church, she found her purpose again, and her faith and talent became a blessing to many who had the joy of worshiping alongside her.

Tanja was also proudly ornery and never particularly impressed by men. She kept her reflexes sharp and her shin-whacking skills finely tuned, often practicing on any unfortunate soul who wandered too close or tested their luck. Consider it a life lesson delivered swiftly and without apology.

Looking back now, those moments bring laughter first… and then a heaviness of heart. Her music, her stubborn strength, her quick reactions, and her one-of-a-kind personality leave a space that cannot be filled, only smiled about.

Tanja was deeply loved, unapologetically herself, and will be remembered always especially by those who learned to keep a respectful distance.

Survivors are one daughter, Casey Lee Aguilar; two sons Gabriel Lucas “Gabe” Aguilar and wife Jaime, and James Joseph “Joey” Aguilar; two sisters Katherine Beshirs and Gypsy Ann Towne; other loved one Karli Albert – mother of Kenzlee, Kenna, and Lawson; her grandchildren Kaydence, Kalleigh, Wynter, Hayden, Bentley, Gaitlin, Kenzlee, Kenna, Lawson, Rachel, Jaime, Jessie, John, Natalie, Emily and Lillian; numerous great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Gladys Whitmore; and granddaughter, Rayleigh Aguilar.

To sign Tanja’s guestbook, go to www.dowdenrobertsfuneralhome.com.