Jerry Jim Barrett

Jerry Jim Barrett was born at his family home five miles north of Ardmore, Oklahoma on May 12, 1935, to Joe Benjamin and Mary Katherine (Gilliland) Barrett, the youngest of their nine children. Growing up on the family farm outside of Wilson, Oklahoma, Jerry loved riding his horses, Ike and Freckles, and, at the age of fourteen, he joined the family business, becoming a 3rd generation diviner, or water well driller, alongside his father and grandfather. Jerry attended Wilson high school where he excelled as a fullback on the football team and participated in both basketball and track.

 In February of 1955, Jerry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, traveling to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California for his basic training and boot camp. Jerry was a member of the 7th Engineering Battalion, 1st Marine Division and was later assigned to Lima Battery, 4th Battalion, 11th Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton. He served his country overseas in Korea at the end of the Korean War as an engineer and heavy equipment operator building staging and reinforcement protection areas, hauling live ammunition and explosives, and serving as Battalion Motor Transport Sergeant with duties including equipment maintenance and record keeping. Later in his Marines career he also served in his engineering capacity and as an embassy guard in Lebanon. He received Meritorious Promotions from Private First Class to Corporal and then to Sargeant. In the summer of 1957, Jerry participated in the largest hydrogen bomb explosion during the U.S. military’s nuclear testing experiment known as Operation Plumbbob at the United States Testing Grounds in Nye County Nevada. Jerry was also presented with the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged from active duty in 1958. Jerry remained an active member of the United States Marine Corps Reserves until 1962. 

Upon returning home, Jerry found employment in Cherokee, Oklahoma driving a truck for W. H. Smith, and this is where he met the love of his life, Deloris Ellen Dotterer. The couple were united in marriage on July 31st, 1959, and made their home in Cherokee. To their union, 4 children were born: Steven, Keith, Lesley and Kelly. Jerry and Deloris enjoyed nights out at the VIP in Alva, Oklahoma with their friends, taking their children on vacations and trips in the camper, going boating at the lake, attending family reunions, and visiting his family back home in Wilson, Oklahoma.

 Jerry worked as a truck driver, heavy equipment operator, and contract pumper for many different oil field and trucking companies over the years. He was also a self-employed welder for the majority of his adult life. Jerry was known to be able to repair or build just about anything. He took great pride in his work and was known as a perfectionist who would do the job right the first time. Due to his level of expertise, quality of work, and commitment to doing things right, his work was very in-demand allowing him to travel to many different places, completing welding work for area farmers and oil related businesses. He refurbished and built oil drilling rigs and pumping units, and owned a machine shop in Cherokee, Oklahoma. Jerry also made time for his farming and cattle operation near the Burlington, Oklahoma area. 

 In 1987, Jerry traveled to Hesperia, Summit Valley, California to work for Hall of Fame horse trainer Jack Van Berg as a ranch manager at the Rancho Las Flores. While employed there, Jerry looked forward to the trail rides hosted by the San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department. Jerry made many great friends during his time at the ranch. His friend, Bill Betterly, wrote about Jerry stating, “I cannot give you all of his qualifications because he is a one of kind genius with a remarkable aptitude and a highly trustworthy employee.” Jack Van Berg also thought very highly of Jerry and his work, sending him to Goshen, Kentucky to work for Van Berg farms where Jerry helped with the development and construction of the Equitrack racing surface used for thoroughbred racing practice. A major highlight of his time at Van Berg Farms was the opportunity to attend the Breeder’s Cup with his wife Deloris in 1988 where Van Berg’s horse, Alysheba, was the winner. 

 After his many adventures in California and Kentucky, Jerry returned home to Cherokee where he started his own water well drilling, pump sales and service business that kept him busy until his retirement. Jerry passed his knowledge and expertise on to his sons, thereby developing a 4th generation of water well drillers and welders. 

 Jerry had many hobbies that he enjoyed such as attending his grandchildren’s sporting and school related events, family gatherings during the holidays, going to the casino with his wife, cheering on his Dallas Cowboys, watching westerns, especially John Wayne movies, and boxing on television, supporting President Trump and his beloved Republican Party, and tinkering with or building things. He spent a lot of time in his garage building model replicas of drilling rigs and pumping units and made several pieces of furniture and decorative home décor. Jerry loved his family and his guardian angel cat, Flossie, above all else in his life. In the eyes of his children, Jerry was a wonderful father and brilliant man whom they admire immensely. 

 Jerry departed this life on February 12, 2025, at his home in Cherokee, Oklahoma surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe Benjamin and Mary Katherine, his siblings – sisters, Willie Grace, Mary Jo, Lou Ellen, and Joy Len and husband, Donald; brothers, Joe Ben and wife, Dorothy, James and wife, Jean, and Jack and wife, Dorothy.

 Jerry is survived by his wife, Deloris Barrett of the home; his children, Steve Barrett of Cherokee, Keith Barrett of Waukomis, Lesley and her husband, Dirk Bagenstos of Cherokee, and Kelly and his wife, Jessica Barrett of Cherokee. Jerry has one remaining living sibling, his brother, Jean, of the Stroud, Oklahoma area. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jessica, Kyle, Gabby, Samantha and husband, Scott, Sandra, Evan and wife, Ragan, Avery, Skyler, Tyler, Savannah, Joshua, Caleb and wife, Heather, and Chase; as well as his great grandchildren, Tesslyn, Tate, Marlin, Delta, Grayson, Kathleen, Samuel, and Benjamin as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Chapel service for Jerry will be at Lanman Funeral Home in Cherokee on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Cherokee Municipal Cemetery with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Cherokee. www.lanmanfuneralhome.com Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

 Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.