Gerold Wayne Vanderburg

Gerold Wayne Vanderburg went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, April 24, 2016. Gerold spent his last moments, at the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City, surrounded by those he loved. He was 75. Just days before, Gerold would tell each of his children, “If I don’t see you before, I will see you in heaven”. Gerold’s life began on October 22, 1940. He was one of triplet brothers and the offspring of Odell Newton and Gladys Vanderburg. They were the first triplets born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Gerold grew up in various places but last attended Shawnee High School. A few years later, Gerold joined the US Navy. He spent much of the next three years -1959 to 1963- on an aircraft carrier –The USS Ticonderoga CV-14. He loved to talk of his naval adventures and the places he had been –all over the world. Shortly after his time in the Navy, Gerold returned home to Oklahoma and began a job with Safeway Grocery Warehouse. Though the company would change management and names several times, Gerold would stay loyal. He worked as a forklift operator for over 35 years for the company, before retiring from what is now known as Associated Wholesale Grocers. Gerold loved his family, especially his wife, Jane, of 44 years. He used to say, “She’s as pretty today as she was the day I married her”. Gerold’s kids, grandkids and great-grandkids were the pride of his life. He would drive halfway across the country to see them and do just about anything for them. His passions were spending time with family, fishing and riding his motorcycle –anywhere and everywhere. Additionally, Gerold had a love-hate relationship with Oklahoma Sooner football. Over the past few months of his life, Gerold made it priority to get his life right with Christ. He rededicated his life to God on December 6, 2015 and was baptized soon after, at Downtown Pentecostal Church, in Shawnee. Gerold was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Vanderburg; brother, Darold James Vanderburg; mother, Mary Ella Vanderburg; father, Odell Newton Vanderburg; daughter, Carolyn Sue Holt; brother, Ronald O. Vanderburg. Gerold is survived by his beautiful wife, Jane, of Shawnee; son, Darold James Vanderburg and wife, Bettina, of Gunbarrel, TX; daughter, Angela Dawn Mitchell and husband, Thomas, of Wichita, KS; daughter, Jane “Beth” Kirkland and husband, Richard, of Wichita Falls, TX; son John “JV” Vanderburg and wife, Sandy, of Shawnee, OK; fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; six siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members A memorial service for Gerold Wayne Vanderburg, will be held this Friday, April 29th, at 2pm, at Cross Connections Church, formerly known as Oak Park Church of God, 329 N. Pesotum, Shawnee, OK, 74801. Flowers may be sent to either Walker Funeral Service, 201 E. 45th Street, Shawnee, OK, 74804, or to Cross Connections Church.