Jerry Warden

Jerry Warden, of Norman, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2020 at the age of 96. He was born September 9, 1924 in Newcastle, Oklahoma to Irving Carlisle (I.C.) and Bessie Samantha (Eoff) Warden.

His family moved to Norman, OK in 1934. Jerry graduated from Norman High School in 1942. He attended The University of Oklahoma. While at The University of Oklahoma, he was a member of The Pride of Oklahoma marching band. Jerry was an Oklahoma Sooners fan and loved OU football. He would cheer on the Sooners football team every Saturday.

He proudly served his country in World War II as a member of the United States Army Air Force Sea Craft Operation from 1943-1946. When he returned from World War II, he joined his Father, I.C. Warden, and brother-in-law, Frank Hartsock, in the family business at Warden and Son that was an International Harvester Dealership. Jerry and Frank worked together until they retired in 1986. Jerry was a Master Mason from the Norman Masonic Lodge #38. He was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason and a member of the Shriners. He was a member of the American Legion and the First Baptist Church of Norman.

He will be remembered by his family and friends as a generous, kind, and loving Father, Grandad, Brother, and Friend. He was a light in the world and always had a joke to brighten the day. He was truly one of a kind and loved by many. He loved spending time with his daughter, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Jerry loved to travel and had traveled to almost every state. Jerry had many friends and enjoyed getting together to drink coffee with them. He will be deeply missed by many and always in our hearts.

He is preceded in death by his parents, I.C. and Bessie Warden, of Norman; his brother and sister-in-law, I.D. and Mae Warden; his niece, Susie Warden; his sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and John Bone; his nephew, Bob Bone; and his brother-in-law, Frank Hartsock.

Jerry Warden is survived by his daughter, Jerri Ann Gray, of Edmond; his sister, Mary Hartsock, of Norman; his four grandchildren, Robert Gray and wife, Dionne, of Edmond, Lindsay Gray, of Edmond, Aubrey Gray, of Edmond and Sam J. Gray, serving in the U.S. Army; his two great-grandchildren, Henry and Ruby Gray; his three nephews, Bobby Hartsock, of Norman, Irv Warden, and Bill Bone; his three nieces Bette Scott, of Norman, Nancy Hartsock, of Norman and Sally Clarkson; his best friend Julie Comer, and her son Brandon Comer, of Purcell.

The family would like to thank all of the Doctors and Nurses on the 5th floor at Norman Regional Hospital for their dedication to his exceptional care.

The family will be having a Memorial Service in the Spring to celebrate his life.

Memorials may be made in memory of Jerry Warden to The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band at the University of Oklahoma, The First Baptist Church of Norman, or the charity of your choice.