Jerry Lee Sivadon died at home on June 20, 2020 in Sapulpa, Ok at the age of 76.
Jerry was born on February 12, 1944 in Oklahoma City, OK to Mack and Iva Sivadon. He moved to Sapulpa at the age of 2, where he lived with his grandmother, Sarah Hahn, across the street from Majors full-service station on Mission Street. He graduated from Sapulpa High School in May 1962, married Donna Downs in December of that year, and they made their home in Sapulpa. Jerry began working for Frisco Railroad as a switchman in June 1963, following in the path of his uncle, Harry Hahn. He enjoyed a 40+ year career with the railroad, retiring from then BNSF in 2004. He spent his retirement years doing the things he loved: golfing, fishing, hunting, or working on some project….either for himself or others.
Jerry was definitely a jack-of-all-trades guy and was called upon often by family and friends to fix something or to help with various projects. He enjoyed problem-solving challenging situations and almost always found a solution, even if it meant a little creative rigging was involved – a craft he learned from his father-in-law Lawrence Downs! He was a generous individual who never met a stranger and felt you should help others when you can. He instilled this value in his children who took it to heart, and all joined careers that serve our community – Angela as a nurse and educator, and Jerry and Terry as Tulsa Firefighters. This was one of Jerry’s proudest bragging rights.
Jerry was an active and dedicated member of the Sapulpa Elks Lodge 1118 for over 50 years and served as the Exalted Ruler in 1986-87. He and Donna enjoyed camping at the lake and fishing- often very competitive fishing between the two of them. Jerry spent many a day on the golf course and knocked in his 3rd hole-in-one in 2018. He could often be found at the domino tables at the Elks lodge “teaching those guys a thing or two” as he would say.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Dr. Angela Sivadon and wife Mary, Jerry Sivadon and wife Debbe, and Terry Sivadon and wife Stephenie; grandchildren, Timothy, Colt, Jerica, Cash, Hollie, Tara, Drew, Ally, and Jordan; and great-grandchildren Emrie, Coen, Conner, Olivia, James, and Amelia. He is also survived by mother-in-law, Betty Downs; sister-in-law, Shelley Naifeh (Paul Ameen); brother-in-law, Larry Downs (Linda); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Honoring the request of Jerry, there will be a private family service only. In lieu of flowers, Donna requests a donation be made to a favorite charity in Jerry’s name.
