Reverend Jerry Holman Fielder

Jerry Holman Fielder was born April 1, 1936, in Gillham, Arkansas and went to be with Jesus on August 17th, 2023, at the age of 87. Jerry earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1958 and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary in 1961. Jerry became a pastor for the first time while still in college at the Zoe Baptist Church outside of Heavner, OK. He went on to pastor at Little City Baptist Church outside of Madill, OK, the First Baptist Church of Stonewall, OK, Trinity Baptist Church in Enid, OK, First Baptist Church of Hominy, OK, Riverview Baptist Church in Bixby, OK, and the First Baptist Church of Springfield, IL. In 1974 he came to Okmulgee, OK to become pastor of the First Baptist Church of Okmulgee and served here until 1978. He was then called to serve as pastor of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK. He was deeply honored and humbled that Fielder Hall bears his name there. He served at Southern Hills for over twenty years and retired from full-time ministry in 1999. Jerry received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Outstanding Alumnus of Oklahoma Baptist University, was past Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Oklahoma Baptist University and was a member of the International Mission Board as well as other places of service in Baptist life. Although Jerry retired from full-time ministry in 1999, he never actually retired. He continued to work through the Oklahoma Baptist Foundation and Muskogee Baptist Association in Northeastern Oklahoma and accepted at least thirteen interim pastor positions and never hesitated to supply preach when and wherever needed. At the time of his death, Jerry was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Okmulgee. While a Senior at OBU, Jerry met Freshman Myrna Brown. They married on December 21, 1958, with this year marking their 65th anniversary together. Known by family as Grammy and Pawpaw, their marriage is truly an example of faith and love with Christ as the center. Jerry loved being in the pulpit. He faithfully served his Lord and Savior his entire life and preached the good news at every opportunity. He had a genuine love of The Church. He had a never-ending supply of sermon jokes and stories, always told with impeccable timing. He also understood that a great 20-minute sermon was better than any good 45-minute sermon. Jerry had an overwhelming passion and love for his family and friends. He also loved his yearly elk hunt and quiet time in the Colorado Rocky Mountains spent with family and good friends as well as his annual August trip to Red River, New Mexico to take on the trout. Jerry is preceded in death by his daughter, Sherry Fielder Wise and son, Gregory H. Fielder. Jerry is survived by his wife Myrna of the home in Okmulgee and son Steve of Okmulgee, sisters Martha James and Gayle Fielder of Oklahoma City, grandchildren Jake Fielder and wife Chanel of Edmond, Dr. Brayden Buss and wife Lauren of Okmulgee, Maddy Burd and husband Blake of Ramona, Will Wise and fiancé Phoebe Livesay of Okmulgee, Grant Wise and wife Maddie Rae of Broken Arrow, great grandchildren Wyatt Buss, Fielder Buss and Nora Buss, and son-in law Jim Wise and wife Deidra of Okmulgee. Memorial contributions in Rev. Fielder's memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Okmulgee General Fund.

Reverend Jerry Holman Fielder

April 1, 1936 - August 17, 2023