Garfield County Obituaries
Jerome Ryan “Jerry” VaterJuly 23, 1929 - December 31, 2011 U.S. Veteran |
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 The funeral service for Jerome “Jerry” Vater, 82 year-old former Enid resident will be Friday, January 6, 2011 at 10:00AM in the Henninger-Hinson Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Don Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Jerry was born in Enid on July 23, 1929 to Celestine and Mary ( Ryan ) Vater and died peacefully Saturday, December 31, 2011 with his wife Elaine and family by his side.As a youth he worked for his uncle’s office supply store. He was a member of Enid High class of 1947 and graduated from Oklahoma A&M with a business degree in 1951. Vater served two years as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force before beginning a 21 year career in the investment and securities industry. He returned to Enid and was self-employed as a lease broker in the oil and gas industry. While living in Enid, he married Elaine Cupp Cain of Oklahoma City in 1980, and they were married almost 32 years. Jerry and Elaine retired to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, where Jerry enjoyed golf, before moving to Oklahoma City ten years ago. Vater was an enthusiastic pilot who learned to fly in his fifties and owned his own plane, flying his white-knuckled wife Elaine to the four corners of the nation during successive summers. When his flying days ended, Jerry rode his motorcycle well into his seventies. In Oklahoma City, Jerry was active in the OKC Senior Net Computer Club. When in Enid, Vater served as Chairman of the Garfield County Democratic Party and was active in the Sigma Chi Fraternity Alumni Club. Jerry is survived by his wife, Elaine, and his two step-children; Tim Cain of Edmond and Lisa Cain Graham of Tulsa, and their families, as well as his five sons, Dennis, Douglas, Stephen, Kevin and Daniel, and two daughters, Debbie Edstrom and Suzie Wilson, and their families. He is also survived by his sister Mitzi MacDonald, of Galena, Illinois and her family. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.enidwecare.com |