Jerry Wayne Damron

Jerry Wayne Damron was born July 30, 1939, in Pirtle Oklahoma to Nathan and Mary Damron as the youngest of 4 children. He passed away June 15th, 2024, at home surrounded by his family after a 10-year battle with MDS.

Jerry grew up in a small Oklahoma town, Elmore City, with the values of middle America. He grew up surrounded by his nieces and nephews that were like his siblings. Faith, Family, and friendships were always the cornerstones of his life. He loved to tell of Elmore City's claim to fame, it was the inspiration behind the movie Footloose and he returned many times for the town's annual "Footloose Festival" which always includes dancing in the streets.

After graduating in 1957 Jerry attended college in Durant, Oklahoma. One fateful Sunday evening, while away working during summer break from classes, his life took a 180-degree turn. Jerry and a friend walked into First Baptist Church in Farmington, NM. There he met recent FHS grad Ida Mae Wood, and the rest is history, 

Jerry and Ida Mae married on Labor Day 1960, less than 3 months after their first meeting. The next almost 64 years were spent moving around the country with Jerry's career in the oilfield. Their journeys took them from Farmington to Oklahoma, back to Farmington, Montana, Oklahoma (Again) followed by Lamar Colorado where Natalie and Steve grew up and eventually back to Farmington for their final move in 1991. Along the way they had 2 children. Natalie was born in Oklahoma and Steve followed during their second Farmington tour. Dad spent the next 20 years following his kids to all their activities. Many thousands of miles were driven for Natalie's cheerleading and Steve's football and baseball games and wrestling matches. He was their biggest fan and always instilled the Ricky Bobby attitude to anything worth doing. To this Day Chris's favorite saying is "if you ain't first you're last".

Jerry's favorite pastime was sports, especially if the Oklahoma Sooners were on the field or court. His favorite hobby was yelling at umpires and referees from the comfort of his recliner. Jerry spent 20 years following his only grandchild Chris to swimming competitions around the country. From Chris's first meet at age 4 to his last meet for UNLV in 2014 Papa was his biggest fan.

Many people that worked for Jerry over the years say he was the best boss they ever had but they knew when they were asked to come to his office it was not going to be a good day. Jerry was very accomplished in his oil and gas career and his proudest accomplishment was being named Drilling and Production superintendent for Texas Oil and Gas at the age of 32. Jerry's work ethic was unsurpassed, and he finally retired from Red Willow in 2015 after his illness made it impossible for him to continue. He thought 76 was a little young for someone to retire.

Jerry spent his days off, when not attending an activity for his kids or grandson, on the golf course always trying for the perfect score or on the lake boating, fishing, and testing out Steve's pain tolerance from skiing crashes.

Dad taught all of us how to live with dignity, character, hold our heads high even in the face of adversity and never give up. No one could love as deeply and purely as Jerry. He was tough on the outside, but his gentle heart was never more apparent than when Gary, Laurel, Shelby and the true heroes in his life, great grandchildren Braelynn and Baylor joined his family.

Jerry was preceded in his passing by his parents Nathan and Mary, his in-laws TJ and Ida Wood, sisters and their spouses Mildred and RL McCurdy, Grace and Jack Rankin, brother and sister-in-law Gene and Betty Damron, brother-in-law Joe Wood, and several nieces and nephews.

 Jerry is survived by his nieces and nephews that were more like brothers and sisters Charles and Effie Rankin, Elizabeth and Tony Riddle, Gary and Patsy Damron, and Robert McCurdy as well as nieces and nephews Janet Damron, Brent Wood and Amie and Glenn Graff and Trevor Wood. He is also survived by many great nieces and great nephews that he cherished and loved each dearly.

His legacy will carry on through his bride Ida Mae, children Natalie and Gary Riley, Steve and Laurel Damron and his grandchildren Chris, Shelby, Braelynn, and Baylor Riley and sister-in-law Dale Wood.

We will love you always and forever. You have left a hole in our hearts but the memories of your laugh, that twinkle in your navy-blue eyes and your constant quiet strength will help carry us through the dark days ahead.

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Sandar Imam, Dr. Allen McCullough, the entire staff at San Juan Cancer Center and dad's partner in crime the last months of his life, Jonathan Marshall.

A celebration of Jerry's life will be August 3rd at Day 3 Church 1111 South Miller in Farmington at 10am followed by lunch. A memorial will be held in Elmore City in the fall.

Honorary Pallbearers are Charles Rankin, Bob Sagle, Lonnie Fleming, Glenn Graff, Max Graff, Dwane Robinson, Ronny Jennings, Larry Sorrow, Mike McCurdy and Brent Wood 

In Lieu of flowers please make donations to The “Riley Men’s Health Fund” in c/o Riley Industrial Services Inc.. 2615 San Juan Blvd. Farmington NM 87401