Burrows
Jerry Ray Burrows passed away on June 28, 2023, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Jerry was born at home in the Hext community on November 17, 1941 to Carl and Ruthie (Cunningham) Burrows. He grew up and attended school at Delhi, graduating in 1959. He attended Sayre Junior College for 2 years where he played third base on the collegiate baseball team that qualifi ed for nationals. Jerry then attended Southwestern Oklahoma University in Weatherford, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in education. Later, he would attend the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated with a Master’s degree to be a Superintendent. On May 31, 1963, Jerry married the love of his life, Katy Tennery, in Erick, Oklahoma. Together they built a beautiful life with 6 children: Mark, Jim, Lynne, Brett, Kyle, and Brooke. Jerry’s early education career began in the classroom in Spade, Texas where he was a math teacher and coach. He and Katy then moved to Snyder where he taught and coached. In 1968, they made their final move to Cordell where he remained throughout his 35 years of service. While at Cordell he had various roles: math teacher, coach, principal and ultimately, Superintendent of Schools. In his tenure as Superintendent, his visionary leadership helped to construct the present-day baseball field, the addition of the new Junior High Building, the combining of the elementary schools into its present-day site and finally the auditorium where we are today. Although his list of achievements was long, he was always quick to say that the support of Pat Emerson and Marion Twyman were invaluable. He retired in 1999, but his love for Cordell Schools, the many teachers and administrators with whom he served, as well as the families in this community has always had a special place in his heart. After retiring from education, he became an Oklahoma Certified Appraiser. Over the next 24 years, he used his company to sponsor other trainees so they could have a career in appraising. Jerry was very active in his community. He was the President of the Kiwanis Club, President of the Cordell Chamber of Commerce, Deacon at the Calvary Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School for over 50 years. He also was instrumental in starting the Cordell Academic Foundation and he was appointed to the Washita County Excise and Equalization Board in 2004 by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, where he served until his passing. One of his most loved activities was playing golf. He coached golf where many of his teams made it to “state”. He loved to see others-young and old-enjoy the sport. His vision for what the golf course could be prompted him to develop a plan for what is now known as “Crooked Creek Golf Course”. Along with his other faithful friends–Gary Madison, CH Hughes, Vernon Mayfield, Mike Stowers and Valerie Farris–the golf course today is a vital asset to the Community of Cordell. He loved fishing and hunting, but most of all he loved spending time with his family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
07/11/2023 10:00 PM
