August 28, 1938 – February 2, 2026
Longtime Oklahoma resident Ronald “Jerry” Dutton entered his heavenly home on February 2, 2026. He was 87. Jerry was born August 28, 1938, in Tulsa to Glenn and Nela Dutton. He grew up attending Calvary Baptist Church in Tulsa, spent his summers playing on the church baseball team and could quote scripture from memory all day long. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church Okmulgee and believed strongly in the power of prayer, faith for comfort and in something larger than himself.
He graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1957. After graduation, while attending The University of Tulsa and serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, he dreamed of spending his life in the skies as an Air Force pilot. He applied for Officer’s School, was accepted and passed all the exams except for one; he was colorblind, which kept him from being able to continue. Despite that, his love of aviation stayed with him his whole life. He could not only identify every airplane ever built, but could give you a complete history as well. After obtaining degrees in Finance and Marketing from the University of Tulsa, Jerry spent the bulk of his professional life, 30 years, as a stockbroker for Merrill Lynch in Tulsa. Jerry was an American Indian and very proud of his Choctaw heritage. After he left Merrill Lynch and up until his retirement, he worked as a Financial Economist for the Department of Interior/ Office of the Special Trustee for the Native American Indians/Office of Trust Funds Management in Albuquerque, N.M.
While building his professional career, his mind was never far from his lifelong passion, ranching. For 35 years, he raised registered Black Angus cattle on his beloved ranch west of Okmulgee and appreciated all of God’s creations. Second to cattle, pheasant hunting was another beloved pastime. On his ranch, he enjoyed the serenity, solitude and beauty of nature all around him.
He loved his family deeply and was a great teacher just through observing his tireless work and care he gave his ranch. The days on the ranch are memories the family will always treasure. Boredom was not permitted as there was always something to do. He provided many adventures for his children including riding horseback to school, learning to drive in a cattle pasture and loaning out his dirt bike to traverse through the green pastures to chase cows. He could explain economics and how to feed a baby calf in the same conversation. Having four daughters in the house, he was determined to make sure each one knew the basics of auto mechanics. Teaching them how to change a flat tire, check the oil and drive a stick shift was considered non-negotiable curriculum. A priceless childhood in the country to enjoy the outdoors, and learn the value of hard work, hands on with animals, nature and ranch equipment is one of the most beloved gifts that his children will always remember.
As a general philosophy, he was all about going forward and embracing the new. He had an inquisitive mind and always wanted to know why things did what they did. If he had a problem, he stayed with it until it was resolved. He treasured the many hunting quests for information on all kinds of subjects. With Jerry it was like you turned on a faucet of creativity full blast and left it running. He was mechanically gifted and always had a project of some kind in the works. Up until his death, he worked every day in his Skiatook workshop, restoring vintage tractors and building and selling utility trailers. He was so grateful to stay busy with something he truly loved. Jerry was truly a born salesman and never met a stranger. He would start conversations with strangers everywhere he went. He was a positive thinker. In a world of half empty glasses, Jerry’s was always brim- full. His friends came from all walks of life. The camaraderie and friendships he made along the way were priceless and meant more to him than his friends will ever know.
He was a rancher at heart, loved wide open spaces, followed weather patterns as closely as he did world events and wore old jeans, old boots and a baseball cap. Jerry loved lukewarm coffee, barbecue, German chocolate cake, classical music and a good cigar. When we think of him, we will remember a man who loved his family, lived his life with gusto and made the most of the time he had earthside.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents of Tulsa; his first wife Mary Margaret Dutton of Okmulgee; and his sister Jane Fleisher of Lake Worth, Florida. He is survived by his wife, Karyn, of 36 years; daughters Rhonda Powell (Bill) of Yukon and Becky Lewis (Peter) of Oklahoma City; step-daughters Lindsay Lindstrom (Eric) and Lauren Oonk (Michael), both of Tulsa; grandchildren Jared Jones (Rebekah), Haley Jones, Deacon and Cooper Lewis, Jack and Luke Lindstrom and Adam and Abigail Oonk.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Moore’s Southlawn Chapel in Tulsa.
Jerry requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Tulsa World Missions Offering – 420 S. Detroit Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74120.
Arrangements are under the direction of Moore Southlawn, 918-663-2233. You can share memories at www. moorefuneral.com.
