"In the beginning, there was a void and darkness over the land. Then on October 31, 1932, there was a bright glow (some said like a bright star) over the southern part of Oklahoma, and a baby boy was born in the tiny village of Earlsboro. The Lord looked down and said "This is good." "Ok, maybe it didn't happen exactly like that, but that is the day I was born in Earlsboro, OK. Coincidence? I think not!"
Dad wrote that several years ago, along with other fond rememberings in his life. I hope you enjoy his memories as much as we enjoy sharing them with you.
Dad was known as Jerry to friends but his momma named him Gerald and that is what the family called him. He lived in Earlsboro with his parents, oldest brother Dow and older sister Betty, for 10 years. Dad said those were some of the fondest memories of his life. They moved to Tulsa in 1943 to a house with their first indoor plumbing.
Dad graduated from Central High School with the Nifty Class of 50 and joined the Navy in 1951. Even though he was serving his country during the Korean War he found plenty of time for fun. While stationed in Hawaii, Dad and his buddies invited a particularly favorite singer to have drinks with them during his break. It was Louis Armstrong and he hung out with them for the entire break. After almost 4 years of Navy life he came home and enrolled at The University of Tulsa. He graduated in 1959 and went to work for Skelly Oil in their Kansas City office. He saw some guys who never seemed to do very much. Dad thought that's the kind of job he could do and found out they were computer programmers. He took a test for programming and it turned out that was a job he could do. While in Kansas City Dad happened to meet a Tulsa girl- Mom. Even though Dad was transferred back to Tulsa in 1960 we all know it turned out to be true love and in 1961 they were married. Mom had a son, Mike, who Dad adopted, then came Elizabeth, and by 1964 we were a family of 6 with Lisa and John. At that time, he went to work for North American Aviation until 1968 when he moved to Pan American Petroleum which later became Amoco where he retired in 1992. Retirement allowed time to travel to Europe, Ireland (Dad loved Ireland), Canada and other wonderful places including domestic travel.
Dad had creative hobbies that brought him great joy - woodcarving and toymaking (he loved seeing something special come from a piece of wood), playing his guitars and singing along with his albums, as well as playing the harmonica and banjo.
Dad and Mom were active members of East Tulsa Christian Church. Over the next 35 years they formed lifelong friendships in the Topnotchers Sunday School class. In time, Cedar Ridge became their new church home, making new friends there.
In Dad's words, "Most of all, I have had a very satisfying and happy life. I have a loving wife, wonderful kids and sons-in-law and grandchildren that are the light of my life. One of my favorite songs, by my old buddy Louis Armstrong, and one I want played at my funeral, says it right, 'What a Wonderful World'".
Some of Dad's family have gone before him - his lovely wife Iris and wonderful son, Mike along with Raymond and Mae, his parents and brother Dow and sister Betty. His other wonderful children remain - Elizabeth and Milton Hendricks, Lisa and Kirk Martin and John and Lee Ann Bourland. Those that gave Papaw his light - Sam Hendricks, Carolyn Hendricks, Casey Martin, Lauren and Jordan White, Kate Martin and Adam Mitchell.
Dad, Papaw, Gerald or Jerry, whatever name he is known by, was loved and will be missed.

Service will be 10am Friday, 6/2/2017 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel - 9350 E. 51st St. Tulsa, OK