Individual Details

Death

Jerry Bailey Thetford passed away at his home in Bixby on January 19, 2020, at the age of 88. Jerry was born in Henryetta, OK on February 10, 1932. Jerry served in the Navy and graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in Physics. Jerry began his aerospace career at American Airlines and moved to Rockwell International which was later acquired by The Boeing Company. As an aerospace engineer at Rockwell, Jerry became Director of Operations and Plant Manager of the McAlester Plant. He then was promoted to Director of Operations of the Tulsa Rockwell Plant and retired as the Director of Commercial Program and Business Development. When Rockwell was taken over by Boeing, Jerry was promoted to the executive Payroll of Boeing. In his career, Jerry had the great fortune of working on all 13 Apollo projects. He served as the Project Engineer of the Space Shuttle Payload doors and in the design and development of the B-1 Bomber. Jerry lived a full and vibrant life. He enjoyed travel, golf, hunting with all of his buddies and being with his family. He was a tremendous role model to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on forever in the hearts of his surviving family and friends. Jerry is survived by: his wife, Linda; two sons, Mark Thetford and John Thetford and wife, Barbara; two stepsons, Marcus Grooms and Tyler Grooms and wife, Wendy; granddaughters, Grace Thetford and Madison Grooms; grandsons, Grant Thetford and wife, Amber, Paul Thetford and Michael Thetford; one great grandson, Jackson Thetford; and his two brothers, Jim Bill Thetford and wife, Linda of Shawnee, OK and Mike Thedford and wife, Betty of Moore, OK. Jerry will have a private ceremony with his immediate family and hope to hold a public service or celebration when the public health crisis improves.