Jerry Dean McAfee was born on December 3, 1947, in Pauls Valley to Buster and Violet McAfee. He passed away peacefully at home on April 21, 2024.
Growing up in Henryetta, Jerry attended Henryetta Public Schools and graduated in 1966. Jerry was a gifted athlete, lettering in three sports: baseball, basketball, and football. After high school, Jerry attended Eastern State College in Wilburton on an athletic scholarship. After a year at Eastern, he transferred to East Central University in Ada on a football scholarship. Jerry entered the army in 1968 and served honorably with the 101st Airborne and did a tour of duty in Vietnam, where he survived the “Battle of Hamburger Hill.”
After serving in the Army, Jerry returned home to Henryetta and resumed his duties with the Shurden Funeral Home as funeral director and ambulance driver. He served most of his adult life at Shurden Funeral Home. He became the face of the business and was beloved by everyone who met him or worked with him. He had a large personality and loved helping people. He coached little league football and baseball in Henryetta and helped many young athletes with their skills and training. Jerry also served as an Oklahoma State Trooper for several years before returning to Shurden Funeral Home where he retired in 2009 due to complications of Agent Orange he received while serving his country in Vietnam.
Jerry was baptized as a young adult by Rev. Lawrence Penfield. He touched the lives of many people in the community and was one of the most recognized people in Henryetta. He loved rooting for the Oklahoma Sooners and was rarely seen without his OU hat and sweatshirt. Jerry will be remembered for his loyalty, love for family and friends and December 3, 1947 – April 21, 2024
always making people smile.
Jerry is preceded in death by his mother and father; sisters Ginger Burnham and Sue Reddick; sister-inlaw Charlotte McAfee; brothers Colonel Bill McAfee, Dobber McAfee; and a cousin Goose McAfee.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 36 years, Carolyn; brothers Glenn McAfee, LaValle, Wisc., Bobby McAfee and wife Laren, Checotah. Sisterin- law Mary Ann McAfee, Leavenworth, Kansas; sons, Rodney Gray and wife Denise, Preston, Keith Rutland and wife Stephanie, Shawnee; daughter, Kelly Ruminer and husband Jeff, Edmond; grandchildren Savannah Cantwell and husband Cooper, Sarah Doan and husband Chris, Kooper Ruminer and wife Jessie, Josh Rutland and Jaycee Webb, Brock Ruminer, Mikayla Rutland and fiance’ Wil Amos, and Brooklyn Rutland. Great-grandchildren Christopher & Emma Doan, Sunnie Rutland, Kollyns Ruminer; also by a host of nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends.
Pallbearers will be, Bo McAfee, Brad Reddick, Geno Reddick, Jarod McAfee, Brian McAfee and James Cox.
At Jerry’s request, the casket will remain closed.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Dewar First Baptist Church, with Tom Freeman officiating. Interment will follow at Westlawn Cemetery with Military Honors under the Direction of Integrity Funeral Home.
An online guestbook is available at integrityfuneralservice.
