Gerald "Jerry" Lee Gritts

Gerald “Jerry” Lee Gritts, 70, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, passed away on June 1, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Born on May 14, 1956, in Tulsa to Arlie Lee Gritts and Kathleen Joyce (Thomas) Gritts, Jerry was a proud Cherokee citizen whose life was marked by compassion, service, humor, and a deep love for family, friends, and community.

Raised in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Jerry enjoyed spending weekends and summers on the family farm near Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Some of his fondest memories included helping his Dad clear land, going to the stockyards, playing in the creek, and spending time with his cousins. As the oldest sibling, Jerry took great pleasure in tormenting his younger sisters, Lill and Dondie. He delighted in practical jokes and often introduced them to bugs and critters, assuring them they wouldn't get hurt or get in trouble. More often than not, they discovered he was wrong.

Jerry graduated from Broken Arrow High School in 1974 and attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah from 1974 to 1978. He later earned his Associate Degree in Nursing from Greenville Technical College in Greenville, South Carolina. Throughout his life, Jerry's journey took him from Oklahoma to South Carolina and Colorado before eventually returning home to Tahlequah, where family, friends, and familiar places welcomed him back.

Jerry dedicated more than three decades of his life to caring for others through a distinguished nursing career. As a Registered Nurse, Jerry served in oncology, orthopedics, medical-surgical nursing, case management, and hospice care. He was known for his compassion, dedication to his patients, and his ability to guide individuals and families through some of life's most difficult moments. Caring for others was not simply his profession, it was his calling.

Outside of work, Jerry embraced life with enthusiasm and curiosity. He enjoyed floral arranging, taxidermy, traveling, spending time at the river, creek, and lake, collecting arrowheads and music records, researching genealogy, cooking, and sharing good food with family and friends. He was a devoted sports fan who rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on his favorite teams and enjoyed sharing the excitement of a good game with family and friends. Jerry loved his animals dearly, enjoyed trying his luck at the casino, and never passed up an opportunity to make memories with those he loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arlie Lee Gritts and Kathleen Joyce (Thomas) Gritts; his grandparents; and his beloved pets, Dimetri, Little Girl, Miss Kitty and Dopey.

Jerry is survived by his sisters, Lillian Wilson and LaDonna “Dondie” Gritts; his nieces, Tracy Alburty and Lensey Shaffer and husband Brent; his great-niece, Kamryn Smith; his great-nephews, Stone Shaffer and Levi Shaffer; and many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

Jerry's legacy of compassion, service, laughter, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.