Jerry Vandegrift Obituary (2022) – Shawnee, OK

A History of the HeadHog Jerry Eugene Vandegrift, 86, handed away Saturday, November twelfth, 2022, in Naples, Florida, surrounded by household and associates. Jerry was born July 7, 1936, to Leroy and Thelma (Glenn) Vandegrift in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He was preceded in dying by his mother and father, Leroy and Thelma Vandegrift, and his brothers, Jack and Leroy, Jr. Family left to cherish his reminiscence are brother Bill and spouse Nancy Vandegrift of Conroe, Texas; his kids: son, Jev and spouse Natalie Vandegrift of Norman, OK; daughter, Nina and husband Mark Shuman of Norman, OK, and daughter Kayci Vandegrift and companion Dusty Pankratz, of Shawnee, OK. Jerry has eight grandchildren and two nice-grandchildren, in addition to quite a few nieces, nephews and different prolonged household and associates. Jerry was younger when he began working in his household’s enterprise, Van’s Pig Stand, when he was solely 9 years previous. He would pester his dad to let him work on the fountain; he would make it till about 1am, however the retailer was open till 3am! By age 12, Jerry would assist by automotive hopping, after which later he moved to dishwashing, “a less glamorous job than working the fountain.” After graduating from Shawnee High School, Jerry attended OSU briefly, labored for the native ice plant as an ice supply boy, and he even joined the army and went by means of primary coaching and served within the Army Reserves. However, his ardour for individuals introduced him again to the Pig Stand, and he started working full-time within the household enterprise in 1959. In 1972, Jerry expanded his curiosity within the restaurant enterprise and started shopping for property and constructing Sonic Drive-Ins along with his enterprise companion Barry Seawright and others. After each of Jerry’s mother and father died within the early 1970’s, he purchased his brothers out of the household enterprise. In 1978, after a large hearth at Van’s Pig Stand, Jerry reopened the shop with its unique signage and altered the menu to largely bar-b-que. Jerry adopted his father Leroy, largely generally known as “Van,” by accepting the function of Board member to the Oklahoma Restaurant Association in 1969. Van was first recorded as board member of the ORA in 1937 and Jerry recollects him as serving as Chairman and having ORA conferences at their home. Jerry went on to function Chairman for the ORA in 1978. He remained lively with the ORA for the rest of his life. In 2009, he was awarded the Culinary Excellence Hall of Fame Award for 50 years of meals service from the ORA. Jerry met his first spouse, Loretta Barrett, at Coffee Drug in Shawnee in 1955, they usually have been married from 1958-1963. He met his second spouse, Kaye Sainer, at Van’s in 1970. They have been married from 1972-1981 and had two kids. Jerry was married a 3rd time to Ginger Hardesty from 1981-1998, and through that point, he adopted his daughter Kayci. In the summer time of 1988, he and his household moved to Naples, Florida. After Jerry moved to Naples, he slowly started to work much less and play extra. He cherished boating, and he made a number of journeys to the Bahamas on his boat. He was an avid collector of weapons, knives, flashlights, and binoculars and located a lot enjoyment in enjoying golf. He made quite a few acquaintances on the golf course and on the native watering gap, a lot of whom grew to become lifelong friends. He made associates simply, and he was fiercely loyal. Sometimes he appeared to have a gruff exterior, however he actually had a “heart of gold;” he was at all times keen to assist somebody in want with recommendation and even with a mortgage. According to Jerry’s lifelong buddy, Jack Clemence, Jerry was a tough employee, he was beneficiant, he was a danger taker however keen to stay issues out by means of the ups and downs, he trusted however verified, and he was a instructor at coronary heart and appreciated to see others do properly.” Jerry’s life with Florida friends was celebrated at 5:00pm, “Bar-thirty,” at his favorite bar in Naples, Florida, on November 15, 2022. His children will host a come and go Life Celebration for family and friends in Shawnee, Oklahoma on Sunday November 27, 2022 at the original Van’s Pig Stand, 717 E. Highland, from 3:00-6:00pm. “HOLD ON! I’VE GOT ANOTHER CALL COMING IN, I’LL TALK TO YOU LATER.” -Jerry

Published by The Shawnee News-Star on Nov. 20, 2022.