Parents fed us canned okra occasionally back in the 60s. I didn’t like it, but then was not a big fan of vegetables in general.
Try ‘em fried, or pickled. Canned okra is probably pretty yucky tasting; I’ll agree with you there. In fact, most canned vegetables are kinda gross to me. Correctly cooked fresh vegetables are the way to go, whenever possible.
Were you raised by communists?
In Oklahoma when the squash bugs are killing the squash, the cucumbers, and tomatoes are burning up. The okra is thriving. The hotter, the better it grows. It is very popular because you can’t kill it.
Dip them in milk and egg. Roll them in corn meal. Fry in meat grease.
As far as the old boy they put to sleep, there are more in McAlester that need the same.