Gerald Blake "Jerry" & Helen Virginia (Jones) Virgin
Resthaven Gardens Cemetery
Oklahoma City, Cleveland County, Oklahoma

Submitted & © by: Phil & Donna Whitaker

Obit for Gerald

© The Chickasha Express-Star

Wednesday, 6 July 2005

Submitted by: Alex Carter

Gerald Blake Virgin passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on his favorite holiday, July 4th, 2005, surrounded by friends and family at Norman Regional Hospital.

Jerry was born on May 18th, 1927 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the oldest child of Clint and Ella Mae Virgin.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday July 7 at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Moore, Oklahoma with the Reverend Dan Farmer officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the John M. Ireland Funeral Home, Moore, OK.

Gerald Blake Virgin

© The Chickasha Express-Star

Thursday, 7 July 2005

Gerald Blake Virgin passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on his favorite holiday, July 4th, 2005, surrounded by friends and family at Norman Regional Hospital. Jerry was born on May 18th, 1927 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the oldest child of Clint and Ella Mae Virgin. His father was transferred to Mattoon, Illinois where Jerry graduated from high school before returning to Tulsa.

Jerry attended the University of Oklahoma one year before being inducted into the United States Navy in 1945. He served with distinction during the Second World War, earning several commendations and citations.

After he was honorably discharged in 1946, Jerry completed college at the University of Tulsa and received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. During his college career he competed on the chess team and won the intercollegiate chess championship.

Jerry continued to play chess for the rest of his life and held Grandmaster status at the time of his death - he was never beaten by his son or grandson!) In the late 1940s and early 1950s he worked in the lumber business for his uncles in Healdton, Wagoner and Chickasha.

It was in Chickasha that Jerry met the love of his life, Helen Virginia Jones.

They were married in Tulsa on Jan. 18, 1953. In 1955 Jerry and his brother Bob opened Tulsa Engraving and Trophy Company, the first trophy and awards business in Oklahoma, which eventually grew to eight stores in six states. In 1966, Jerry, Helen and their son Blake moved to Oklahoma City and soon thereafter to Moore, Oklahoma. Jerry worked for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority before opening American Awards Center in Moore, Oklahoma with his son in 1974.

In 1976 Jerry and Helen began to operate the Moore Tag Agency where Jerry continued to be involved until his death. Jerry served on the Moore School Board and was very active in politics, working in numerous state and local campaigns. Jerry was a man of few words, unless the subject was his grandchildren, whose exploits he told to anyone who would listen. One never doubted where one stood with Jerry. He truly epitomized the phrase "What you see is what you get." He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert H. Virgin, and his soul mate Helen who passed on in 1999.

He is survived by his son Blake Virgin and daughter-in-law Cindy, grandchildren Jeff and Emily Virgin, numerous nieces and nephews, and "Barney" his English bulldog. Behnd Jerry's rough exterior was a kind hearted person who helped many in need.

Above all Jerry was a loving husband, father and grandfather who left the world a better place than when he arrived. We will miss you Pops. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday July 7 at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Moore, Oklahoma with the Reverend Dan Farmer officiating.

Interment will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the John M. Ireland Funeral Home, Moore, OK