Final Salute

Jerrold “Jerry” Wayne Perteet, 71, of McAlester, passed away Saturday, April 17, 2021. Viewing will be Thursday until 5:00 p.m. and Friday until 8:00 p.m. at Brumley-Mills Funeral Home. A service celebrating his incredible life will be held Saturday, April 24, at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of McAlester, officiated by Dr. Matt Judkins. Burial will follow at the Perteet Family Cemetery near Bugtussle. Pallbearers will be Ron Bechtold, Joseph Anderson, Kenny Holman, Roger Timmons, Ron Davis, Jim Harley, and Terry James. Honorary pallbearers are Jim and Harvey Morris.
Jerry was born on October 18, 1949 in Hanford, California, to Lloyd and Lola Faye (James) Perteet. He lived his life in McAlester, graduating from McAlester High School in 1969 before attending Southeastern State College. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology launching a career he loved. After graduation, he spent his “difficult days of military service” with the Navy SeaBees and Naval Reserves. He was active in the Jaycees and considered it one of the greatest experiences of his life. His career of creating solutions to improve systems and solve problems related to anything with a wire began at Oklahoma Aerotronics before moving to the Army Ammunition Plant. It was there he formed bonds with co-workers he loved who affectionately called him “Uncle Jer.”
Jerry and Tracy Lynn Vawter were married in Los Angeles, California on August 10, 1979. They raised their four children with love and immense pride in the home he built on West Chambers Road. There was nothing he could not fix and was always helping others. He was an avid gun collector, a skilled marksman, a connoisseur of Andy Griffith, and a lover of explosives and ziplines. He saw many corners of the globe but it was from his “building” that he communicated with people from all over the world through the 70-foot tower he designed and built himself. Sharing his passion for Ham Radio with friends from the local club brought him great joy after his retirement. He loved his Savior and adored his grandchildren whom he called “the babies” and who knew him as “Papa Jer.”
Jerry is survived by his wife, Tracy Lynn Perteet; son, Brent Wayne Perteet and his wife Jessica, their children, Micah Wayne, Julianna Marie, Jacob Andrew, Lucy Elizabeth, and Rebecca Grace; son, Daniel James Perteet and his wife Jolleen, their children, Erin Sofia and Anna Lucia; daughter, Rachel Faye Perteet; and daughter, Keli Ann Marie Perteet and her daughter, Karmyn Carter, as well as his three chosen children, Merle Grieser, Nathalie Ferland, and Joseph Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Pittsburg County Amateur Radio Club at 705 EOC Drive, McAlester, Ok. 74501
Published on April 20, 2021
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