Gerald "Jerry" Butts

Gerald Wesley Butts, age 78, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully, Tuesday evening, May 5th, 2026. Born to Francis James Butts and Bonnie Beatrice Butts as a twin on February 24th, 1948, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Gerald grew up and established his life there. Many knew him as “G.W.” or “Jerry”. He graduated from Northwest Classen High School, where he met his first wife, Debra Clark; they married on November 19th, 1969, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Together, they had three children and later divorced in June 1983. He later married his second wife, Joyce Browning, of Chickasha, Oklahoma, in May 1988, in Empire, California. One of the things Gerald loved to do in life was work, so he attended a trade school to learn auto upholstery, which became his lifelong career. He worked at Nips Auto Trim for many years before opening his own business Gerald Butts Auto Trim. He took great pride in his work, especially custom upholstery in classic cars. Gerald enjoyed fishing and playing pool, he competed in many Bass and Pool tournaments throughout his life. Gerald also loved playing his guitar and singing old country songs to his children, like George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and so many others. One of Gerald’s favorite pastimes was friends and family gatherings, where he loved to smoke meats for everyone to enjoy, playing cards, and Sunday dinners with his long-time best friends, Donald and Dip. As well as taking 5 to smoke left handed cigarettes, drinking long neck Budweiser’s, fighting anyone who showed any sign of disrespect, and telling many tall tale stories to everyone. He is survived by his three children, Tammy Deann Butts Yanez and husband, Juan Yanez, of Springer, Oklahoma, Wesley Lee Butts and wife, Julie Butts, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Gerald “Jerry” Lesley Butts and fiancé, Jamie White, of Newalla, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Juan Trinidad Yanez, Carlos Miguel Yanez, Tristen Wesley Butts, Matthew Drake Butts, Ashley Dawn Epperson, Blaise Cordell Ely, Landen Avery Kincaid, Leland Matthew Butts, Leeah Leeanne Butts; twelve great grandchildren; and one brother, Toney Duane Butts and wife, Sharon Butts, of Guthrie, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his father, Francis James Butts and mother, Bonnie Beatrice Butts; five brothers, James Francis Butts, Thomas Allen Butts, Andy Lee Butts, his twin brother, George Leslie Butts, Terry Allen Butts, and his wife Joyce Browning Butts.

Viewing will be held 4-8pm, Wednesday May 13, 2026 at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 North Kelley, Oklahoma City, OK 73131. Funeral services will be 10:00 am Thursday, May 14, 2026 also at Memorial Park Funeral Home at the same address. Donations may be made to GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/a4946f68e.