Gerald D. Neff, Sr.

Gerald David Neff, Sr., also known as Jerry, passed away on February 4, 2024, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 84. He was born on May 28, 1939, in Oklahoma City. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Everett Baker Neff and Ruth Frances Bell Neff, and his brother, E. Richard Neff. Jerry was a loving husband to Mary Frances Neff for 42 years, and a devoted father to Pamela S. Neff, G. David Neff, Jr., William R. Neff, Michael C. Miller, and Kim-Kay Miller Randt. He was also blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jerry had a remarkable 60-year career as a Petroleum Geologist, specializing in the exploration of deep natural gas in the Anadarko Basin. His expertise and dedication led to numerous successes, particularly in the 1970's and 1980's. Throughout his career, Jerry favored independent firms along with forming several partnerships and companies, including Sanguine Gas Exploration.  In addition to drilling and completing wells, he also excelled at well operations and pipeline gathering systems.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Jerry had a big personality. He was known for his energy, loyalty, sympathy, sense of humor, and compassion. He approached life with enthusiasm and risk-taking, and never missed an opportunity to engage in his various hobbies. In his younger years, he enjoyed golf, fishing, snow skiing, drawing, and woodwork. Jerry created many gifts in his workshop including crests for his cherished Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity at OU and the Kappa Delta Sorority at OSU. Jerry was also a collector. He started with stamps, coins and fossils as a kid and moved onto cars and French wines. He loved to share stories about his collections.  

Jerry and Mary Fran spent four decades summering at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, along with any time of the year they could get their dog, Pepper, to the lake shores. Their charming Beacon Hill cabin was their happy place, and host to numerous birthdays and 4th of July celebrations. He was also an expert griller, using his prized Hasty Bake. However, his greatest joy in life was traveling the world with his beloved wife, Mary Fran.

Jerry was educated in the Oklahoma City public schools with the exception of two years at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico. He went on to earn his B.S. in Geology at the University of Oklahoma and his MBA at Oklahoma City University.

A memorial service to honor Jerry's life will be held at 11:00 AM on February 20, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, OK.  A reception for all who knew and loved Jerry will follow the service in the parish atrium.  For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live streamed.

The Neff family is grateful for the exceptional support from the Nichols Hills Fire Department, Bellevue Health & Rehabilitation, and Integris Baptist Medical Center.  

Jerry Neff will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. His legacy as a dedicated professional, loving family man, and adventurous spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.