Jerry Don Messick

Jerry Don Messick was born September 29, 1950 in Phoenix, Arizona to Marie and George Messick, the

3rd of 6 sons, Clovis, Terry, Ronnie, Cody and Tony. He passed with peace, surrounded by family on

December 25, 2022 after a short illness.

Jerry fiercely loved his children and grandchildren. He taught them to exercise their voice and first

amendment rights through taking his children to demonstrations and protest marches before they could

walk. He encouraged them to form their own opinions, respect others and to have open minds. He was

an active participant in minority and human rights, but took special interest in Native American activism.

An avid and successful union organizer, he fought for nurses and healthcare workers particularly.

He served his country and was in the US Army in the early 70’s. However, being true to his ideals he

organized and was active in anti-war protests during the late 60’s and 70’s to do what he felt he needed

to improve the country he loved.

Besides being devoted to his family, among Jerry’s many interests were - camping, traveling, gardening,

art, painting and drawing, writing, history, books, reading, current affairs, music of all genres, Buddhism,

and martial arts. Being true to the free love of the 60s, Jerry liked to get married a lot and collect kids

along the way. His heart was big and his love ran deep.

Jerry had the opportunity to travel throughout North and Central America, including Arizona, New

Mexico, California, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, and Nicaragua.

After practicing as an Emergency Medical Technician for Norman, Oklahoma and Med Flight Oklahoma,

he earned a degree in Nursing, from Oklahoma City Community College, practicing as a Registered Nurse

at OU Children’s Hospital, Norman Regional Hospital, Indian Health Services, the University of New

Mexico Hospital, and Rivas Nicaragua Hospital.

Jerry leaves behind an immense group of family and friends to cherish his memory beginning with his

wife, Lorna B. Caraway, who he married in 2009. He was previously married to Connie Trigalet (deceased

1990) and Lisa Gover. His children include Jorden Beller, Carly Gilbert, Leah Messick-Gover, Marisa Page,

Nathan Page, Matt Gomboc, and Cade Scheer. His grandchildren are Emma, Allie and Haylee Beller,

Lincoln and JT Gilbert, Alicia Powdrill, Paz and Alexander Romero, and Sam and Ben Gomboc. Among his

many beloved nephews and nieces are Phil Gover, Marie and Eric Messick, and Carrie and Tianna

Pringle. Additionally, there are many more people he considered family that are too numerous to be

listed here.

The family would like to thank the staff of Norman Regional Hospital and Norman Healthplex for the

excellent care he received. A celebration of life will be held on or around the Spring Equinox in 2023

with the details to be decided at a later date.