Gerald Lyle Kinison

Gerald Lyle Kinison, Osage resident since 1946, passed away on Friday, March 22, 2002 at his home near Osage, at the age of eighty four years, one month and one day.

Gerald was born February 21, 1918 in Lugert, Oklahoma. He was the son of George Lafayette and Minnie Martha Kinison. Gerald was raised near and attended school in Covington, Oklahoma, graduating from Covington High School in 1936.

Shortly after graduation, Gerald married Bessie Merle Elliott on November 24, 1936 in Lucien, Oklahoma. The couple had two daughter, Betty Faye and Hazel Irene. They made their initial home in the Vinita area when they moved to farm shortly after their marriage. In January 1946, they moved to Osage, Oklahoma when Gerald started his career in the oil business.

Gerald served an oilfield superintendent for Neal Oil Company twenty-five years before purchasing the production for the company in 1971 and establishing his own company, Large Oil Company. He continued to operate his own oil production company until his retirement in 1980. Bessie, his wife of nearly sixty-years, preceded him in death on September 24, 1996. Gerald was a longtime and faithful member of the Osage Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and taught Sunday School for many years.

Gerald was married to Barbara (Donalson) Ward on September 12, 1997 in Osage, Oklahoma. Gerald was an avid University of Oklahoma fan who loved to watch his Sooners play football. He also enjoyed gardening, but specifically loved to grow tomatoes.

In addition to his wife, Bessie, Gerald was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ward Kinison, of the home; two daughters, Betty Fay Glenn, Osage, Oklahoma and Hazel Irene Fox, Thornfield, Missouri; six grandchildren, Jimmy Dale Fox, Jr., Steven Fox,, Craig Fox, Bruce Fox,, Katherine Eichenberger and Pamela Glenn Patterson, twelve great-grandchildren, and a brother, Lonnie Wayne Kinison, Houston, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, March 26, 2002 at the Osage Baptist Church with Rev. Dean Switzer officiating. Burial will be at the Osage Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

''Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Gerald Kinison at www.chapman-black .com.''