Obituary of Jerry A. Gilbert
Jerry A. Gilbert, age 97, passed away peacefully on September 9th, 2024, in Tulsa, OK. Born on October 28, 1926, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Albert and Velma Gilbert, Jerry demonstrated leadership and a genuine compassion for others from a young age. At Storm Lake High School, he was elected President of the student body and was an accomplished member of the track team. Following his service in the U.S. Army at the close of World War II, Jerry attended the University of Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce in 1949. He was actively engaged in campus politics and proudly joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Jerry’s professional life spanned a diverse and fulfilling array of ventures. His early career led him from JC Penney to Prentice Hall Publishing in Oklahoma City, before finding his true calling in real estate. In the 1960s, Jerry, alongside his business partner Ray Whitson, built College View Apartments, a Section 8 housing development that continues to serve low-income families today. Jerry's work extended far beyond simply providing affordable housing; he took time to build personal relationships with his tenants, offering them unwavering, non-judgmental support.
He often encouraged them with the words, "Educate yourself to make a living, but learn to do it in a pleasant way for you and those around you." Jerry not only shared this wisdom with others—he lived by it. Even in his late 90s, he had not fully "retired," viewing his work with a joyful purpose rather than seeing it as a burden. Whether assisting others with educational opportunities, helping them secure grants, or nurturing their unique talents, Jerry empowered many to pursue brighter futures. His inclusive, open-minded approach left an indelible mark on countless lives. Jerry's civic contributions were as significant as his professional ones. He served as Ward 6 City Councilor in Oklahoma City for over a decade, from 1975 to 1987, and Vice-Mayor where he tirelessly championed improved public services and the revitalization of downtown neighborhoods. A passionate advocate for urban renewal, Jerry believed that a thriving city required more than economic prosperity; it needed to be a place where people could live, work, and enjoy life around the clock. His political influence also extended to the national stage, where he represented Oklahoma as a delegate to multiple Democratic National Conventions.
In the 1970s, he hosted the first “Broom Brigade” campaign party that helped propel David Boren into the Governor's office, and he worked closely with long-time friend and colleague George Nigh on a variety of important state issues. Passionate about historical restoration, Jerry and his wife, Jeanette Swan Gilbert, worked together to restore the 1905 English Tudor home that was the Oklahoma City Symphony Decorator Showhouse in Heritage Hills neighborhood at 14th and Hudson, where he lived for many years. They worked with other pioneers of neighborhood rejuvenation to make Heritage Hills the first district in the state to be designated by local ordinance as an area of historical significance. Jerry was one of the founding members of Historical Society, Inc., a non-profit foundation for educational and charitable purposes. Ten years later Heritage Hills was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Jerry’s appreciation for community extended beyond Oklahoma. He traveled extensively. In his later years, Jerry spent his winters in Puerto Vallarta, where he avoided tourist areas and instead spent time getting to know the locals and their life experiences. Whether at home or abroad, Jerry immersed himself in the local culture and built meaningful relationships with the people around him.
Jerry is survived by his two children: Brett Gilbert and his wife Kitty Gilbert of Jenks, and their son, James Hartman; and Christie Kendrick and her husband David Kendrick of Tulsa, and their four children Katherine, Matthew, Benjamin, and Joseph. A private family service and burial at sea will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Oklahoma City Rescue Mission or the United Way.
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