Funeral services for Jerry Kenneth Potter, 92, of Purcell will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2025 at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home.
Mr. Potter passed away Thursday, November 6, 2025 in Norman.
Born February 13, 1933 in Lexington, he was the fifth of seven children born to William Marion Potter and Iva Jo (Bivins) Potter.
He was raised in Lexington and attended school there, graduating with the Bulldog Class of 1951. By chance, he noticed a young lady named Dorothy Lee Thompson. He was a lifeguard at the Lexington Swimming Pool when he saw her, and he knew she was the one. Jerry married the love of his life, Dorothy on June 24, 1951 in Purcell, and they began their life together.
Jerry first worked as a barber in his dad’s shop in Lexington, being the youngest licensed barber in the state of Oklahoma. Soon, he was traveling between military bases in Enid and San Antonio, working as a barber. They eventually settled back home in Purcell where they raised their family, son Dick and daughters, Sharon, Jeanie and Mitzie.
Jerry worked for Lonestar Gas before joining the family business, McClain Propane. He then opened Jerry’s Pawn Shop and operated both businesses simultaneously. For decades, he stayed busy with the day-to-day operations, interacting with his customers and building friendships, before retiring in 2020.
Jerry was a family man first, and loved spoiling Dorothy and his children and grandchildren. There were countless memories made at the family lake cabin at Lake Murray, and vacations at Panama City Beach. Jerry loved movies and collected his favorites, and he listened to music from all genres and time periods, knowing lyrics to countless songs that he sang to his family until the very end. His absolute favorite was the 1970s.
He was a gun enthusiast and avid collector as well as being a gun dealer. He loved nature, and enjoyed tending to his gardens, planting and caring for his trees. He was fortunate to travel the world abroad, and he and Dorothy especially enjoyed visiting Egypt and Israel.
Jerry was a man of great faith, and longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Purcell where he served as Deacon, Treasurer and wherever needed. He cherished Dorothy, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and leaves a treasure of memories for all who knew him. He will be dearly missed!
He was preceded in death by his son, Dick Potter; infant son, Larry and an infant baby girl; his parents, Marion and Iva Potter and his siblings, Arlene Hopkins, Carroll Potter, Louise Greenwood, Marilyn Hanger, Wanda Michaels and MaryAnn Griffin; and his beloved mother and father by marriage, Dru and Richard Thompson.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 74 years, Dorothy Potter of the home; daughters, Sharon Roselius and husband Jerry, Jeanie Potter and Darrell Ford of Purcell and Mitzie Madden of Purcell; 10 grandchildren, Juleigh Kruger and husband, James Kruger, Jennifer Gumerson, Joseph Johnson and wife, Jessica Johnson, Jerrad Genson, Ryan Madden, Ashlee Madden, Jordan Genson and Samantha Jones and Jason Genson; 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild on the way, and a host of other family and friends.
Online condolences may be made at www.wilsonlittle.com.