Gerald Lee “Jerry” Adair • November 22, 1939 - February 16, 2021

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November 22, 1939 - February 16, 2021

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  • Gerald Lee “Jerry” Adair • November 22, 1939 - February 16, 2021
    Gerald Lee “Jerry” Adair • November 22, 1939 - February 16, 2021
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Gerald Lee “Jerry” Adair died peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 81.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service of Sand Springs.

The funeral service was 10 a.m., Saturday, February 20, at Solace Church with Pastor Zack Archer offi ciating. Jerry was laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery, Mannford. Visitation will be held 12-8 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.

The son of William Penn Adair and Amy (Sharp) Adair was born November 22, 1939, in Oklahoma City. The family moved to Madison, Kansas, where Jerry spent most of his youth. They moved to Drumright, Oklahoma, where he would attend his junior and senior years of high school. Jerry boxed, played football, and also played bass drum and trumpet in the high school band. He graduated with the Drumright High School class of 1957. Jerry continued his education at Oklahoma A&M where he was a member of the Glee Club, Oklahoma A&M band, and ROTC band. Jerry worked his way through college and after 10 years, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Oklahoma State University. During college, he worked on the pipeline as an X-ray tech. Jerry met a young lady, Marquita Anne Thomas, on Labor Day of 1964 at her sister and brother-in-law’s home. On a trip home from Magazine Mountain in Arkansas, Marquita had missed a bus on her way home. Jerry purchased her $10.26 ticket to fl y home. Marquita repaid Jerry by check, and he never cashed the check, but instead, carried it around with him for many years in his wallet. After some convincing by Marquita’s mother, she gave Jerry a chance. On June 6 of that same year, they were married in Yale and made their home there until Jerry graduated from college. They then made their home in Muskogee, until moving to Tulsa where Jerry worked for Sinclair Research Center. They would later move to Cushing where Jerry was in charge of 50 women at a local steel company, then Little Rock, AR where he sold water softeners, and eventually they moved to Mannford where they have lived for the past 50 years. He worked in the oil fi elds and was good at locating areas to drill. After his 13th gusher, he was awarded a fully paid trip with his family to Hawaii.

Jerry was passionate about his family. They enjoyed trips each year, many of them in their camper and pick-up, going anywhere the kids wanted to go. Many of their trips ended up in Colorado. Jerry was a good and patient teacher to his children and their friends. He taught them how to waterski, work on their cars doing everything including changing oil, tires, brakes, and transmissions, build things and do wiring. Many evenings the kid’s friends would bring their cars over while Jerry taught them what to do. While caring for his elderly parents, he would visit them in the nursing home 2-3 times a day. Jerry helped care for and raise all fi ve of his grandchildren. When his fi rst granddaughter, Sierra, was born she went everywhere with her Papa. When they went to town, he would dress her up in her frilly dresses to show her off to everyone he met. He changed hundreds of diapers, read books to them, and let them take naps on his chest. He supported his grandchildren by watching ballet and dance recitals, attended many soccer games, archery tournaments, and so many other activities. He was a good son, daddy, husband, grandpa, and friend.

Jerry was involved in the Mannford community. He was a substitute teacher at the high school, served as a deacon at the Mannford Church of God where he also sang in the choir, and delivered prescriptions to the elderly. He enjoyed stopping by a local fast food restaurant while delivering prescriptions to also bring his little old ladies their favorite hamburger or fries, and spent time sitting and talking with them.

Jerry could always be spotted in a crowd. He was very intimidating with his large stature and dark skin, but he was loved by everyone he met. He didn’t know any strangers, and would always know someone everywhere he went. Jerry loved to tease. If he didn’t give you a hard time, he didn’t like you.

He always had a project going. He enjoyed spending time at the lake boating and camping, working on cars, and collecting guns and antiques.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; and siblings: Patsy Ruth Adair and William Penn “Billy” Adair, II.

Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Marquita Adair of the home; children: Kara Lee Anne Adair Hart and husband, Chuck of Sand Springs, Sean Lee Adair and wife, Sarah of Sand Springs, and Tonui Anne Adair of Mannford; and grandchildren: Sierra Raine Adair, Seann-William Lee Adair, Dylan Thomas Thunder Hart, Braden Matthew Hart, and Sophia Gabrielle Hart.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2448 E 81st St., Ste. 3000, Tulsa, OK 74137, or www.alz.org.

Leave your memories of Jerry and view his tribute online at www. mogro.co.