Jerry Thomas Aylor

Jerry Thomas Aylor, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Jerry was born on July 31, 1941, in Prague, Oklahoma, to Robert “Dewey” and Effie (Hall) Aylor. He grew up in Prague and graduated from Prairie Valley High School in 1959. He continued his education at Seminole Junior College, earning an associate’s degree in 1961.

That same year, Jerry met the love of his life, Gwendolyn “Gwen” Kneisel, at Fairview Baptist Church in Shawnee. They quickly fell in love and were married on September 29, 1961, in Richmond, California. After spending two years on the West Coast, they returned to Oklahoma, believing it was the best place to raise their family. Over the years, they lived in Prague, Ponca City, Anadarko, El Reno, and Oklahoma City—where they spent 25 years—before settling in Chandler in 2011. In 2024, Jerry and Gwen made their final move to Stillwater.

A lifelong learner, Jerry returned to school at the age of 42 and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. His professional life was marked by a wide range of roles: geologist technician for Conoco Oil Co.; owner and operator of Coast-to-Coast Hardware store in Anadarko; owner and operator of the Sonic Drive-In in El Reno; and business manager for several car dealerships. For 25 years, he served as a business manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Oklahoma City and Norman.

Despite his many professional accomplishments, Jerry often said his favorite title was “5-Acre Farmer”—a role that reflected his love for the land and a life well-rooted in hard work, family, and faith.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Effie Aylor; brothers, Bob Aylor, and Don Aylor; and close cousin, John Aylor.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gwen Aylor; son, James Steven Aylor and wife, Mitzi Aylor; daughter, Cindra Jill Evans and husband, Dean Evans; brother, Frank Aylor; grandchildren, Thomas Aylor, Carson Evans and wife, Zoe Evans, Hannah (Evans) Ritz and husband Tylor Ritz, Wesley Evans and wife, Blythe Evans, and Braden Evans; great-grandchildren, Connelly Ritz, Asher Evans, Carson Dean Evans, Eden Evans, Blakely Evans, and Andersen Ritz; as well as a host of other family members and friends.