May 28, 1936 - October 17, 2021
Gerald Eugene Detrick of Ames, OK was welcomed into the arms of Jesus his Savior on the morning of October 17, 2021. Having battled complications from a stroke earlier in the year, he passed away at home surrounded by family. He was eighty-five. He was a man of gentle spirit and devotion to God, as all who knew him can attest.
Born May 28, 1936 to Fred and Christina (McCracken) Detrick, Gerald grew up on the family farm near Ames, OK. Following his graduation from Ames High in 1954, he worked on the family dairy farm for several years before being drafted into the US Army where he served his country faithfully in Okinawa. After being honorably discharged, he happily returned to the family farm where he would lovingly tend his cattle and work the land for the remainder of his life.
At a church function, he met Donna Pitts of Enid. The two were married on January 25, 1963. Together, they raised their three children, Wesley Scott, Bret Alan and Jana Kay.
Gerald served his church, Parker Chapel, as long-time song leader and elder. He faithfully supported Christian missions and was a member of the Gideons Int’l. Following in his father’s footsteps, he spent many Sunday afternoons visiting those in the hospitals and nursing homes. Gerald was also active in his community, serving on the Camp Clearview board and assisting the American Legion in the memorial services of veterans across the state. Gerald touched the lives of many with his Christian witness and his life of testimony.
Gerald is survived by Donna, his wife of fifty-eight years and his children, Wesley (Shari) Detrick of Bel Aire, KS; Bret (Heidi) Detrick of New Hudson, MI; Jana (Glenn) Oister of Cherokee, OK. He always took delight in the visits to the farm from his ten grandchildren, Mary (Jordan) Friesen; Allison, Ryan, Heather and Holly Detrick; Christine (Ben) Cox; Katie and Calvin Detrick; Benjamin and Baylee Oister and two great-grandchildren, Judah and Lucy Friesen. He is also survived by his sister, Karen Womack of Enid, OK; brother, Terry (Rita) Detrick of Lahoma, OK; brother-in-law, Don (Carole) Pitts of Lincoln, NE and several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. Families of the heart include Dean Daugherty, Twila Daugherty and Shawn Ubersox.
Gerald is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dean and wife, Karen Detrick; brother-in-law, Cecil Womack and great-niece, Sofia Clayton.
Family visitation will be at Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home in Enid, OK on Friday, October 22, 2021 from 4:00-6:00pm. Services will be Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 10:00am at Parker Chapel Church located two miles north and three miles west of Ames, OK. Burial will follow in Ames Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Clearview with the funeral home acting as custodians of the fund.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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