Jerry Bowersox, 83, of Oklahoma City, passed away February 21, 2026. He was born to Maxine and Kenneth Bowersox in Mansfield Ohio, March 14, 1942.

He married Janice Jackson in February of 1962. They were married for 54 years before her death in 2016. Together they raised 3 children.

In 1961, after graduating from high school, Jerry joined the United States Coast Guard. He served in Lake Erie, Hawaii, Japan and Key West, Florida to name a few places. He served 150 months at sea before ending his career in Miami, Florida in 1981.

At Lauderdale Manners Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale Florida and Calvary Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, he was an ordained minister. His ministry was service. He has been a deacon, business manager, Sunday School teacher, director of children's church and also ran the bus ministry.

In 1986, Jerry moved his family onto a 65 ft. sailboat and ran charters from Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamas. He then moved to Oklahoma in 1989 where he became a lifeguard at the Downtown YMCA where he also taught many little ones to swim.

Jerry ended his work career at Cathedral of Praise in Oklahoma City, serving God. During his retirement he enjoyed going to church, spending time with his family, RV travel and boating.

In his life, Jerry has always served the Lord and raised his family to do the same. He lived by example, sharing the love of God with everyone he met.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Maxine Bowersox; his wife, Janice; granddaughter, Chelsea Johnson; daughter, Jill Johnson; and son, John Bowersox.

He is survived by his brother, Jack Bowersox; daughter, Julie Bowersox; granddaughter, Christina Pitzer; grandson, Christopher Johnson; great-granddaughter, Aubrey Johnson; and great-grandson, Bentley Pitzer.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 9:30 am on Thursday, February 26 at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Chapel. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed on this obituary page.