Jerry Lee Gitthens

Heaven gained another angel on February 9, 2021. Jerry Lee Gitthens was born September 1, 1939 to Riley L and Reba L Gitthens in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The family spent Jerry’s early years in Amber, Oklahoma where his Grandad was the Mayor. They eventually moved to Del City, OK where Jerry graduated from Del City High School. After high school he was a Certified Chevrolet Mechanic until he began his career at Tinker Air Force Base. He worked at Tinker until his retirement in 1993 starting as a mechanic and working his way up to Section Chief. While at Tinker he met some lifelong friends that would still meet and have breakfast together once a month. Tinker is where he also met his loving companion and partner of 30 years, Jane McCutchen. He was small in stature but a tough guy. With Jane by his side he battled four different types of cancer over his lifetime. Besides his family, Jerry’s real passion was Drag Racing. In his early years he won national races in the Dragster class. Later he partnered with his son to spend many very happy years building and racing at Thunder Valley Raceway in Noble and other regional races. Over his lifetime he owned various other race cars, providing competitive race cars for other upcoming racers, and making him part of the close knit racing community. His three grandchildren were the light of his life. One huge joy was the day his two grandsons Tyler and Conner drove one of his race cars. He liked his trips to the casino and would take his granddaughter Allison to celebrate her birthday each year. He also loved to spend time at Lake Tenkiller with family and friends. Jerry was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by dearly loved Jane McCutchen, his daughter Connie Elwood and husband Pat, son Jerry D Gitthens and wife Steffani and three grandchildren Allison Elwood, Tyler Gitthens and Conner Gitthens. He is also survived by his sister Jean Ann Duncan and husband Ron, brother Joe Gitthens and wife Shelly, many nieces and nephews, Jane’s four children and their spouses, and her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to two charities requested by his grandchildren. The Sparrow Project www.facebook.com/thesparrowprojectmoore or mail to P.O. Box 6858, Moore, OK 73153 and Racer’s for Christ 1250 E Baseline Rd Suite 101 Tempe, AZ 85283. For both donations please Memo: In Memory of Jerry L Gitthens. A memorial service celebrating Jerry’s life will be planned for the spring.