Jerry Bernard Sipes was born on April 23, 1937 in Greensburg, Kansas to Bernard Odell and Viola Belle (Schowengerdt) Sipes. Jerry was the oldest of 2 siblings. He was 8 when his sister, Glenna Fae, was born. Jerry's family moved from Kansas to Arkansas and finally to the Los Angeles, California area. As a child, Jerry took violin lessons and was in the orchestra. His parents wanted him to go to college for music but God had other plans. At the age of 16, Jerry met the love of his life, Janis Lee Ferguson, age 17, at Graham Church of the Nazarene. They started dating and a year later they were married on November 25, 1955. Jerry and Jan had 5 children: Rebekah Ellen (Mike) Dorfsmith, Stephen Paul (Keri & ex-wife Annette) Sipes, Daniel Mark (Marlana) Sipes, Philip Lyn (Susan) Sipes and Matthew Jeremy Sipes.

Jerry was a proud member of the US Naval Reserves, having served during peacetime between the Korean and Vietnam wars. Jerry became a structural steel draftsman and had the pleasure of working from home for most his career. He played fiddle for the Bluegrass Gospel Express band while Janis sang. He was also a member of the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) where he and Janis would travel on their Harley Davidson motorcycle or bright green trike to Sturgis, South Dakota to meet other Christian motorcyclists.

Jerry and Janis raised their children in Big Bear, CA. They loved going on road trips to Arizona and moved there in the mid 1990's. In 2021, Jerry and Jan moved to Bethany, OK to be closer to family. After Janis' death in 2022, Jerry regularly attended Bethany First Church of the Nazarene and Calvary Nazarene Church. He was very active in Bible studies and get-togethers with his many church friends.

Jerry passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, April 22, 2024, one day before his 87th birthday.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Viola Sipes; son, Daniel "Dan" Sipes; and his wife, Janis, to whom he was married 66 years.

Jerry is survived by his sister, Glenna Clifft; four children; 20 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews who love him dearly.

We celebrate the life of Jerry Bernard Sipes, beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, father-in-law, Papa/Grandpa, great-grandpa and friend. We miss him being in our presence but rejoice knowing that he is together again with Janis and in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom he loved.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, April 29 at Mercer-Adams Chapel. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed on this obituary page.