subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Mon, Sep 08 2008 

Published: April 19, 2007 10:44 am    print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

NOTEWORTHY NEIGHBOR

From Paris to Pauls Valley

By Jeff Shultz
Managing Editor

In February of 1953 the Pauls Valley Lions Boxing Club held a match with the Ardmore boxing club. Both clubs fought it out hard, but at the end of the night the series of matches were declared a standstill with Pauls Valley taking five of the 10 matches.

One of the boxers on the Pauls Valley team was Gerald “Jerry” Wilkerson, who knocked out Ted Carter in the second round of the first match of the night.

“We had a good club then,” Wilkerson recalled. “We would go to Norman and box the Navy recruits there at the Navy station and most times we would win.”

Wilkerson, who was born and raised in Pauls Valley, was a good boxer. So good that in 1951 - at least that's the closest he can remember it - he won a Golden Glove match in Ardmore.

“I can't remember my record, but I know I won a lot of bouts,” Wilkerson said of his high school boxing career.

Wilkerson's boxing was cut short when in 1954, while he was a 17-year old PVHS junior; he quit school and joined the Army. For the next 15-years the Army was his life.

“I made a lot of friends while I was in the Army. We had a lot of experiences we shared,” he recalls.

The Army gave Wilkerson a way to travel, something he still loves to do. While serving as a Sgt. First Class in the Army he was stationed in Japan, Germany, Liberia West Africa and Thailand. He ended his military service with a tour of duty in Vietnam.

“I love to travel to see as many countries and sights as I can in my life,” he said. “Paris, France, is probably the best place I've ever been to. It left a great impression on me because of its beauty and landmarks.”

After his service in the Army; after traveling to a variety of world destinations; Wilkerson decided there was only one place for him - Pauls Valley.

“I just love Pauls Valley,” he said. “I was born and raised here. The people are great and we have an interesting history.”

Today Wilkerson owns and operates Jerry's Self-Serv gas station and car wash on South Walnut. In fact, he's owned several car washes and gas stations in Pauls Valley, Wynnewood and Purcell.

“I'm very happy with the career I've chosen,” he said. “I enjoy visiting with my customers the most.”

He is married to Carolyn and they have one son, Ricky; two daughters, Twayla and Christy; three grandchildren, Stephen, Kyle and Madison; and one great grandchild, Makayla.

For Wilkerson, the simple things in life - his family, his job and his hometown, measure success.

“I went from delivering papers for the Pauls Valley (Daily) Democrat as a boy to owning and operating several businesses as an adult.”

print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.

Photos


Jerry Wilkerson was born and raised in Pauls Valley and was a Golden Glove boxer in high school. (PVDD photo by Wendy Chick) None/ (Click for larger image)

monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Lindsay Municipal Hospital
Now Hiring: FT Nurse's Assistant. Lindsay Municipal Hospital. Night Shift. Please
apply in person at 1305 W. Cherok...>MORE

Washita Valley Living
Accepting applications for C.N.A's on 3:00-11:00pm and LPN 3:00-11:00
Also LPN for weekends doubles. Please apply<...>MORE

Lindsay Municipal Hospital
Housekeeper needed at Lindsay Municipal Hospital. FT Position. Please apply at 1305 W. Cherokee
Lindsay, OK....>MORE

Lindsay Municipal Hospital
Full Time RN needed at Lindsay Municipal Hospital. Night Shift.
LMH offers competitive salary along with benefits a...>MORE

Tellers Needed
Tellers Needed
IBC bank is looking for friendly and outgoing
people who like to work
with the public to ...>MORE

The Pauls Valley General Hospital
The Pauls Valley General Hospital’s Respiratory Therapy Department has an opening for an LPN who has an interest in Resp...>MORE

Garvin County Community Living Center
Position available for billing/records clerk at Valle Laser, a subsidiary of Garvin County
Community Living Center,...>MORE

Washita Valley Living Center
Washita Valley Living
Center is now taking
applications for a night shift (11pm-7am) certified nurse aide an...>MORE

Purcell Municipal Hospital
PURCELL MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
LRCP
Fulltime position with
varied days & varied shift. Licensed Respiratory ...>MORE

Pauls Valley Health Care
Pauls Valley Health Care facility has an opening in the Housekeeping
Department. 7am-3:30pm 4 days on & 2 days off...>MORE

See all ads
Premium Autos

••SELL YOUR CAR HERE••
Sell your car here. Call Wendy or Christie at 405-238-6464 for more information...>MORE

See all ads
Premium Homes

Special Govt Programs
Special Govt Program
Zero down if own land or use
family land. Bad credit ok. Your
approved. We own the B...>MORE

Country Squire homes
Special Govt Program
Zero Down if own land or
use family land. Bad credit ok.
We own the Bank.
$1000...>MORE

Special Govt Program
Special Govt Program Zero Down
if own land or use family land.
Bad credit ok. We own the bank.
$1000 furn...>MORE

Special Govt Program
Special Govt Program
Zero Down if own land or use family land.
Bad credit ok. We own the Bank.
$1000 furn...>MORE

Special Govt Program
Zero down if own family land or
use family land. Bad credit ok.
We own the Bank. $1000 furniture
package ...>MORE

New Government Lending Program
New Government Lending Program.
For land owners, 0 down, payments
starting at $277/month. $1,500 furniture pac...>MORE

Oak Creek Modular Homes
Full service builder, finest quality, stem walls, garages, decks,
etc. Go to www.oakcreekhomes.com/okcity or call...>MORE

Oak creek
OAK CREEK MODULAR HOMES
Full service builder, finest quality,
stem walls, garages, decks, etc.
Go to www....>MORE

GOT LAND?
GOT LAND? Or have family land? You're Approved 0
down! Singles, doubles, modulars. Free washer & dryer
thru Ma...>MORE

Special Govt program zero down
if own land or use family land.
Bad credit ok. We own the Bank.
$1000 furniture package w/new home
purcha...>MORE

See all ads

© 2005, Pauls Valley Daily Democrat
108 S. Willow, Pauls Valley, OK 73075
Phone: (405) 238-6464
Popular Business directory links - Pauls Valley Apartments |  Pauls Valley Attorneys |  Pauls Valley Auto Dealers |  Pauls Valley Auto Parts |  Pauls Valley Auto Repair |  Pauls Valley Beauty Salons |  Pauls Valley Car Rental |  Pauls Valley Dentists |  Pauls Valley Doctors |  Pauls Valley Flowers |  Pauls Valley Hotels |  Pauls Valley Insurance |  Pauls Valley Loans |  Pauls Valley Mortgages |  Pauls Valley Movers |  Pauls Valley Pizza |  Pauls Valley Realtors |  Pauls Valley Restaurants |  Pauls Valley Storage |  Pauls Valley Tax Preparation |  Pauls Valley Travel |  Pauls Valley Featured |  More...

 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index