Jerry grew up on the family farm. He attended Doxey Schools from primary to eighth grade. Jerry then attended high school at Sayre Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1956. On May 20, 1956, Jerry married Ruth Harrington at Ruth’s parent’s house in Grimes, OK. and to this union Eddie Glen and Londa LaJane were born. They made their home in Sayre on the dairy farm and worked with his dad milking cows. In 1957 Jerry enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at the O’Hare Air Force Base in Chicago, Illinois. Jerry was supposed to go to a Russian School to learn Russian for the Air Force, but instead was sent to the motor pool and drove the colonels to their destinations. After being honorably discharged, Jerry returned to the family dairy farm. In 1963 Ruth and Jerry both started college. They attended Sayre Junior College for two years and earned their associates degree. They went on to Southwestern College in Weatherford, OK where they both obtained their bachelor’s degree in education. They moved to Garden City, KS and began teaching school. During the summer breaks, he would travel back to help on the farm and during this time worked on earning his masters degree in education at Southwestern College. The family lived in Garden City for three and a half years before they moved back to the farm in Sayre to help his dad on the dairy farm. He began managing and eventually took over and operated the Whitledge Dairy Farms until 2011. This was the last dairy farm of Beckham County.

Jerry was a member of the church of Christ. He was baptized when he was seventeen years old at the Sayre church of Christ. He was an active member of the congregation and served as Elder, Song Leader, and Teacher. Also during his college years, he preached at the church of Christ in Bulo and Colony, OK. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing the guitar and singing. He enjoyed the outdoors whether it be gardening, fishing, hunting, or feeding the cows.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Leslie Welch, Dale Harrington, and Johnny Harrington, sister-in-law Erinstine Stogdale, and Elsie Green, parents-in-law Katie and Harley Harrington.

He is survived by his wife Ruth Whitledge of the home; children Eddie Whitledge and wife Beth of Carter, OK and Londa Williams of Sayre, OK; grandchildren Brandie Hull and husband Gabe, Casey Griffin and husband Monty, Vince Morris and wife Ashley, Jesse Shelton and wife Hannah, Jason Williams and wife Madison, and Jordan Williams; great grandchildren Sydnee, Coen, Samantha, Kenneth, Cree, Parker, Phenyx, Beckett, Kendrick, and Brycen; sister Helen Welch; and niece Cassie Welch; many other nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.