Obituary for Andrew Lloyd Gelmers

Andrew Lloyd Gelmers

January 2, 1929 – February 1, 2018

A. Lloyd Gelmers was born January 2, 1929 and died on February 1, 2018 after a difficult battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 89 years old. He was born on the homestead farm southwest of Newkirk to H.J. (Hank) and Lydia Gelmers.

He grew up in Newkirk and attended Ponca City High School, graduating in 1947. He attended Oklahoma A&M College, graduating with a degree in Mathematics in May of 1951.

He married Louise Ferguson on August 12, 1951 at First Lutheran Church by A.E. Behrend. They were blessed with three children; Christy, Andy, and Julie. Lloyd started teaching Mathematics at Ponca City High School in 1951 and was called to serve in the Korean War the next year. Lloyd and Louise lived in New Jersey while Lloyd served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps at Fort Mammoth. He was discharged as a First Lieutenant and the couple returned to Ponca City where Lloyd continued to teach. Lloyd taught Math for 42 years at Po-Hi. He served as the Head of the Mathematics Department and the District Mathematics Coordinator for many years. He was active in the Oklahoma Council of Teachers of Mathematics and he received the Mathematics Association of America Award for Excellence in Mathematics teaching, in the Oklahoma-Arkansas Region and he was one of three finalists in the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. In addition to teaching Math, Lloyd served as the sponsor of the YMCA Hi-Y and took many groups of students to Youth and Government events at the state capital. He was the high school’s boys’ volleyball coach for 19 years from 1968 to 1987. He coached the team to 11 state championships. Lloyd holds the record for the Po-Hi coach with the most state championships in school history. He enjoyed intermural competitions, homeroom activities, academic competitions, and running the clock for high school wrestling matches and football games. He retired from teaching in 1994.

In addition to teaching, Lloyd was a wheat farmer of family land in Kay County around Newkirk for most of his life.

In his retirement he enjoyed working in the yard, completing the crossword puzzles, cryptograms, and Sudoku puzzles. Lloyd also joined the American Legion in retirement. He was a lifelong New York Yankees fan, and an avid sports fan in general. Lloyd enjoyed watching high school, college, and professional games in person and on the television.

He was a devout Christian and an active member of First Lutheran Church for his entire life. He was baptized and confirmed in the faith. He served on the Board of Education for the First Lutheran School and as an elder in the church for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, H.J. (Hank) and Lydia Gelmers; a sister, Rosa Farr; two brothers, Wayne and Martin Gelmers. He was also preceded in death by his daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Ken Elliott.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife and caregiver of 66 years, Louise Gelmers, his son Andy and Cindy Gelmers of Tulsa, his daughter Julie and Neal Lawrence of Ponca City, 6 grandchildren; Steven and Robert Elliott, Alex and Megan Gelmers, and Britany and Andrew Lawrence. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, past students and volleyball players.

Lloyd’s family will be available to greet friends at Trout Funeral Home from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Sunday, February 4, 2018. A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, February 5, 2018 at First Lutheran Church. He will be laid to rest following the ceremony at Resthaven Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Steven Elliott, Michael Duhan, Robert Elliott, Alex Gelmers, Megan Gelmers, Britany Lawrence, and Andrew Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601 and First Lutheran Radio Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Source: Trout Funeral Home