Jerry Dale Winkle, 82, of Norman, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026.

Jerry was born on October 15, 1943, in Oklahoma City to Archie and Ophelia Winkle. He began school in Sasakwa and Maud before moving to Holdenville, where he met and fell in love with Sue Enos when he was a freshman and she was in the eighth grade.

He graduated from Holdenville High School in 1961 and went on to attend Oklahoma State University on a music scholarship. While at OSU, he was a member of the ROTC Band and the Cowboy Marching Band. Jerry loved his days at OSU and often shared stories of working as a fry cook in Bennett Hall, occasionally sneaking food to the athletes. During his college years, he committed his life to Christ and was baptized at University Heights Baptist Church in Stillwater, a decision that shaped the rest of his life.

On May 24, 1965, the day after graduating from OSU, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Sue Enos. Together they raised three children: Jay, Craig, and Kim. They shared 42 beautiful years of marriage before Sue passed away in 2007.

Jerry began his distinguished career in education in Paoli, Oklahoma, where he wore many hats: band director, elementary music teacher, English teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. He served as superintendent for only one year, choosing instead to return to the students he loved so much. He went on to serve as a highly respected high school principal in Noble, Holdenville, Altus, Ponca City, and Norman.

He also faithfully used his leadership gifts through service on the Cooperative Council of School Administrators, the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In addition to his work in education, Jerry worked at a landscape nursery, sang in the Noblemen Gospel Quartet, served as a bi-vocational minister of music at First Baptist Church Holdenville, and invested in student ministries in the churches where he lived. He was a deeply respected and godly man who will be remembered for his steady Christian leadership and servant’s heart.

In 2008, Jerry was blessed to find a second love later in life with his best friend, Betty Wilhite. Their marriage was a beautiful gift from God, a season filled with joy, travel, OSU football games, laughter, and deep companionship. They were a tremendous blessing to one another, cared faithfully for each other, and beautifully blended their families.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Ophelia Winkle; his brother, Ralph Winkle; and his wife, Sue Winkle.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Winkle of Norman; his son Jay Winkle and wife Cyndee of Oklahoma City; his son Craig Winkle and wife Lenis of Edmond; his daughter Kim Anders and husband Ray of Norman; his twin brother Jim Winkle and wife Carolyn of Pauls Valley; his sister Jean Woods of Enid; his sister-in-law Jeanette Winkle of Port Neches, Texas; his brother-in-law Steve Enos and wife Angie of Holdenville; his son Larry Wilhite and wife Julia of Branson, Missouri; his son Marty Wilhite and wife Kenya of Branson, Missouri; his daughter Lisa Littlejim and husband Clint of Norman;

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Hunter and Ciara Winkle; Cody and Audree Winkle; Logan and Emerson Huslig; Tucker Winkle; Roy and Jordan Henry; Isaac and Jaylin Melton; Ryne Anders; Colby and Alexis Foshee; Reuben and Ashley Ogle, Travis and Amy Leaming, Daniel and Patty Wilhite, Devin and Micha Wilhite, Colin and Kendall Wilhite, Brandon and Lindsey Miller, Gabe and Christina Littlejim, Caleb and Olivia Littlejim, Cody and Gracey Dellinger.

His great-grandchildren include Tillie and Teagan Winkle; Kamden and Korie Foshee; along with many more great-grandchildren from Betty’s family.

The family extends a special thank you to Amada Senior Care and Centric Hospice for their exceptional care and for allowing Jerry to remain at home, where he wanted to spend his final days.