Gerald D. Brickman

Gerald Brickman, 67, better known to his friends and family as Pop, died September 24, 2011 as a result of a sudden cardiac event. Gerald was a farm boy who learned the meaning of hard work from an early age. He understood the mechanics of farm equipment, automobiles, animals, and his fellow humans. The love of the farm held his heart throughout his life. After graduating from Okeene High School in 1963 and marrying his lifelong partner, Penny in 1964, he began a career that would see him as Plant Supervisor of Waldon Inc., Fairview, OK. Gerald held precious his memories of Waldon and safely guarded letters written to recognize his accomplishments by his employer, Don Martens. The year 1987 found the Brickman family relocating in Colorado where Gerald worked for nearly 20 years for Phil Long Ford. He began his career there as manager of their custom van division but later moved to parts and then on to the body shop. He was a supervisor of the huge Phil Long Ford Body Shop. In 2007 Gerald and Penny returned to their Oklahoma roots by moving to Poteau, OK. Gerald, always an Oklahoma boy at heart, was thrilled to be back in his home state and stated at numerous times that he would never want to leave the Poteau area. While Gerald is celebrating his heavenly arrival he leaves behind a host of people to miss his humor and smile, as well as the many thoughtful things he continually did for them. His wife, Penny, son and family Larry, Lori, Blake, & Ashley Brickman of Yukon, son and family Jeff, Sherri, Chase & Sarah Brickman of Poteau; grandson Brandon Brickman of Tulsa; granddaughter Kaley Brickman of California; father, Leslie Brickman; sister and family Karen and Roger Parsley of Arlington, TX, sister and family Doris & Ralph Cross of Ringwood, OK, sister Audine Felder of Pauls Valley, and brother Willis Brickman, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends Kathey and Floyd Rauh of Oklahoma City and their family as well as a host of friends whose lives he touched in very tangible ways. Gerald was preceded in death by his mother Iral Brickman, sons Tracey Scott Brickman and Stephen Brett Brickman. Services will be 2 pm, Thursday, September 29, 2011 at Springhill Baptist Church, Monroe, OK with Rev. Monty Brown & Rev. James T. Smith officiating.