Obituary for Gerald “Jerry” Jantz

Jerry Jantz

May 18, 1943 – August 18, 2020

Gerald Dean “Jerry” Jantz, age 77 of Ponca City, left this life on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at his home in Ponca City.

A Celebration of Jerry’s Life will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ, with Steve Hamm of Agape Church of Christ officiating. He will be laid to rest at the Hobart Rose Cemetery, in Hobart, OK. Jerry’s Celebration of Life will be streamed live at www.troutfuneralhome.com. Please select the livestream tab at the top right of the webpage.

Jerry was born May 18, 1943, in Hobart, OK, to Dewey and Frances Jane (Willoughby) Jantz. He graduated from Gotebo High School and later received his Master’s Degree in Education with a major in biology. He married Marilyn Kay Vursels on June 18, 1965, in Socorro, NM.

Jerry’s s first teaching job was in Liberal, KS. He then moved to Ponca City to teach at Ponca City High School and was very proud to be named Teacher of the Year for the 1985-1986 school year. He became the Technology Director, before retiring in 2007. At Ponca City, Jerry was involved in the Science and Photography Club. Jerry was also a member of the Oklahoma Education Association, ACT, Braden Water Board, National Science Teacher’s Association, Teacher’s Political Action Committee, and the Bargaining Committee for Teachers’ Rights. His advocacy for teaching professionals led him to successfully work with the state legislature on a number of proposals. Agape Church of Christ benefited from Jerry’s passions where he served with their food bank and as a Sunday School teacher. As well, Jerry would further give of himself by tutoring the children at the American Legion Home in his evenings. Being outside was Jerry’s favorite place. Hobbies Jerry enjoyed included genealogy, photography, glass blowing, geocaching, boating, riding four wheelers, fishing and camping. He especially loved to travel on his Goldwing trike with his beloved Marilyn right there with him.

Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of the home; children, Jeffrey Jantz and wife Krista of Red Bluff, CA, Gregory Jantz and wife Kendra, of Colwich, KS ,Michelle Allender and husband Billy of Perry, OK; grandchildren, Finn Jantz, Peyton Jantz, Garrett Seeliger, Caitlyn Seeliger; siblings, Arthur Jantz and wife Janice of Altus, OK, Kenneth Jantz and wife Venice, of Davis, OK; brother-in-law, Robert Wayne Vursels and wife Lorena of Socorro, NM; special cousin, Ruth Ann Huggins of Ponca City; several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his dear fur buddy Oliver the Yorkie.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law, Eunice Vursels and father-in-law, Robert Vursels.

Memorial donations in Jerry’s name may be provided to the Jerry Jantz Memorial Scholarship Fund. attn Brenda Storie, Ponca City Public Schools, 613 E. Grand, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Source: Trout Funeral Home