Jerry Lee Gilleland

Memorial services for Jerry Lee Gilleland, 80, of Owasso, OK, were held Saturday, October 7, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Sperry, OK. Reverend Johnnie Faught officiated.

Jerry was born January 19, 1943, in Tulsa, OK, to Elmer Earl Gilleland and Mary Lyveda (Hoffman) Gilleland. Jerry entered the Heavenly gates (where he is now walking the streets of gold) on September 27, 2023, in Tulsa, OK.

Jerry’s life was radically changed in 1986 when he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:11-12.

Jerry graduated from Sperry High School and lettered in ALL Sports; he was also the class president all throughout high school and made many lasting relationships into adulthood. He proudly served his country in the US Army Reserves as a sharpshooter from 1961-1967. After his time in the military, Jerry attended TU and graduated in 1969 with a degree in Business Administration. He worked in the oil field with his dad and served as Mayor for the Town of Sperry. He had many hobbies including racquetball, slow pitch softball, old cars, and even tried his hand as a racehorse owner. Jerry married his wife, Linda and his girls, Missy and Melanie in 1979 and moved his family to his beloved Sperry. He served on the Sperry School Board, coached, and supported his girls in whatever activity they were in and served in many capacities at Golden Hills Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Sperry, most notably as a cook at Falls Creek for the campers. He owned a successful business in Tulsa, where many Sperry residents were employed at different times. He loved Sperry, sports, his family (especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren) but most of all his relationship with Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Gilleland of Owasso; daughters, Missy Bridgeman and husband, Joe, of Sperry, and Melanie Winford and husband, Scott of Sperry; grandchildren, Lauren Webster and husband, Dakota of Mounds, Meghan Dickey and husband, Trey of Owasso, Josh Bridgeman and wife, Maranda, of Mounds, Erin Winford of Sperry, and Jayden Bridgeman of Sperry; great-grandchildren, Maddox Webster, Mesa Webster, Henley Bridgeman, Jorgen Bridgeman and Judson Dickey; sister, Jane Swartz and husband, Harvey of MO; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mary Gilleland; and brother, Jack Gilleland.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.