Obituary for Gerald “Jerry” Grimley

Gerald W. Grimley

July 2, 1939 ~ February 12, 2022 (age 82)

Gerald W. Grimley passed away peacefully on Feb 12, 2022 with his family by his side. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles E. and Opal C. Grimley and siblings Charles Grimley and LaWanda French. Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years Opal (Beebe, AR) and their two daughters Julia (Grimley) Patterson (Toss) of Sandy Utah and Jill (Grimley) Herrin of Beebe Arkansas. He is also survived by five grandchildren Maddison Weimann (Ryan) of Jacksonville, AR, Cole Grimley of West Palm Beach, FL, Tayler Patterson (Andrew) of Brooklyn, NY, Sarah Patterson of Seattle, WA, and Evie Herrin of Beebe, AR; and one great grandchild, Maycee Hickman of Jacksonville, AR. Jerry is also survived by two siblings: Joyce Smotone and her husband Marvin (Stillwater, OK) and Jeanie Walker and her husband Paul (Edmond, OK) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gerald was born in Ponca City, he graduated from Ponca City High in 1957 and served two years in the United States Marine Corp. Jerry returned from his Marine Corps assignment to marry his high school sweetheart, Opal Y. Behara. During their residency in Ponca City, OK, Jerry and Opal lived on the grounds of the Marland Mansion. Jerry became a journeyman electrician while working at Snyder Electric and was instrumental in rewiring the entire Marland Mansion. He then worked for the Felician Sisters Convent who occupied the Marland Mansion, working his way to Senior Maintenance Engineer, a position he held for 46 years. He led the building project in Rio Rancho, NM when the Convent was moved in 1975 and after almost 50 years of committed service to the Felician Sisters, he retired with his wife to Beebe, AR.

Jerry loved his horses and cows. His farm was his sanctuary. Jerry will be remembered as the jokester at family gatherings by his children, nieces and nephews.

Jerry was a member of the St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville, AR. A memorial mass will be held in the church where he married his loving wife Opal – St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ponca City, OK on Saturday, Mar 26, 2022 at 10:00 am. Inurnment to follow mass at IOOF Cemetery in the St Mary’s section Columbarium in Ponca City.

Jerry’s family would like to thank the caregivers of Greystone Nursing Home in Cabot, AR and Kindred Hospice who made his last hours dignified and comfortable. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Kindred Hospice, 10800 Financial Centre Pkwy, #380, LR, AR 72211.