-
Jerry Wattenberger
Jerry Don “Rabbi” Wattenburger, a longtime Cushing resident, passed away on Friday evening at Grace Living Center, Stillwater, Oklahoma at the age of 80. Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 4, 2020 at the Yale Assembly of God, Yale, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at Flynn Cemetery, Cushing, Oklahoma.
Arrangements are entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Cushing, Oklahoma.
Jerry was born on April 21, 1940 in Cushing, Oklahoma to the late Daniel Houston and Elva (Martin) Wattenburger. He grew up in Cushing where he played football for Cushing High School. His Senior Year his team won the State Football Championship. Jerry received his nickname “Rabbi” from Coach Odell which has lasted throughout his life. Jerry graduated from Cushing High School in 1959. He attended NEO where he played football as well, winning a National Title at NEO in 1959, his Freshman year. Jerry was later inducted into the NEO Football Hall of Fame.
Jerry married Coreeta Martin on December 7, 1961 and to this union, Bill, Jon and Brian were born. Jerry and Coretta were married for 36 years, vigorously supporting their Sons in all of their wrestling, Sporting and life endeavors.
Jerry was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later served in the U.S. Army Reserves. Jerry worked for Arco Oil & Gas for 20 years until it closed in 1989. He began working for the City of Cushing in the Electric Power Plant until his retirement in 2007. He enjoyed playing pool, bowling and hunting. He was inducted into the Billard Hall of Fame in Las Vegas in 2008.
Jerry married Nancy Weatherford on September 25, 2001 in Tunica, Mississippi. Jerry will be missed by his family and friends.
Jerry is survived by his wife Nancy, his sons Bill Wattenburger of Stillwater, Jon Wattenburger and wife Joy of Cushing, Brian Wattenburger and wife Kerri of Cushing, step-daughter Carolyn L. Eaton of Yale, step-son Justin Meisner of Bull Head City, Arizona, grandchildren Josh Wattenburger, Heather Wattenburger Stowe and husband Matt, Jenny Murphy and husband T.J., Jordan Wattenburger and Taylor Wattenburger, great grandchildren Jay and Lilly and numerous other grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Earl Wattenburger.