Gifford "Jerry" McBride

In Memory ...

Dr. Gifford "Jerry" McBride, Jr., 99, an optometrist in Midwest City for more than 65 years, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 in Oklahoma City. He was born Jan. 12, 1924 in Monrovia, Calif., to Gifford McBride Sr. and Ruth Hulten McBride. He spent most of his childhood in Oklahoma City and some summers in California after his parents were divorced. He is preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Mary McBride, his sister Betty Saul, and his wife Anna McBride.

Gifford graduated from Classen High School in 1942 and attended Oklahoma City University before joining the US Navy. After the war, he attended the University of Oklahoma where he joined the Sigma Nu fraternity and met the love of his life, Anna Barnett of Pampa, TX. They exchanged wedding vows in 1947 and remained married for 55 years, until her death in 2003. After his graduation from OU, he and Anna moved to Chicago where he graduated in 1950 with honors from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry. Their first child Gifford Mark McBride was born during that time.

Gifford practiced optometry in Oklahoma City for two years before starting his own practice in Midwest City, where the couple lived and raised their five children. Gifford also was chairman and secretary of the Central District of the Oklahoma Optometric Association. He also served on the national board of directors of the American Optometric Association.

Both Gifford and Anna were PTA presidents of their children's elementary school. They were active members of many service organizations and the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Midwest City, where they became close friends with most of the church choir. Besides church hymns, they sang in perfect harmony "Oklahoma," "Boomer Sooner" and most show tunes at monthly birthday dinners, many restaurants and all the way to OU/TX football games. They were happy to fulfill song requests from friends and strangers.

Gifford and Anna also were avid dancers. They were members of the Young Men's Club, Regency Ballroom Dance Club, Reveler's Dance Club, Mayfair Dance Club and the Community Music Association. They made many new friends at these formal dances in Oklahoma City. Gifford continued to light up the dance floor well into his 80s, usually at wedding receptions.

Gifford and Anna loved to travel and entertain friends at their home and had many dinner parties that included lots of singing and lively political discussions.

Gifford enjoyed taking care of his own lawn and pool and undertook small projects around the house, some of which were successful. He took up several hobbies in his 50s and 60s, including running in races, tennis and snow skiing. He practiced optometry until he was 94 and loved to ride his bike down the street to his office.

He is survived by his children Dr. G. Mark McBride (OkHwa) of Oklahoma City; Janet Hicks (Dr. David Hicks) of Tulsa, their children Kaycie Pella and Reese Hicks, great grandchildren Ty and Halsie Bird; Dr. Scott McBride (Darla) of Midwest City, their children Megan McBride of Oklahoma City and Cale McBride of Midwest City, and great grandson Myles; Lisa Prince (Jim) of Oklahoma City, their children Anna Prince of Brooklyn, NY, and Dr. Andrew Prince (Dr. Heidi Prince) of Tulsa and great grandchildren Jude, Jack and Parker; and Todd McBride of Oklahoma City.