Gerald Howard Stotts

Gerald H. Stotts passed away on January 19, 2014 at the age of 83. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and a graveside service will be held at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 2:30pm.


Gerald was the son of Clyde and Loletta Stotts. He graduated from Crescent High School and was drafted into the Army. He served in the Korean War until he was wounded. He had shrapnel removed from his head at a M.A.S.H. unit and underwent extensive rehabilitation. He received the Purple Heart as a result of his injuries and was honorably discharged from duty.


He enrolled at Oklahoma State University and received his degree in Engineering Technology. He married Nevalyn Freese in August of 1955. He worked for OSU in the Electrical Engineering Department for 35 years as the Laboratory Manager until his retirement. He also served as a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Perry and Stillwater.


In 1972, he was asked by M.I.T. to participate in a study of Korean War vets with open head wounds versus those with blunt non-penetrating head wounds. He spent a week at M.I.T. being evaluated. The study was intended to provide improved early care and prognosis of long term effect and rehabilitation of head injury individuals.


Gerald loved to fish and go boating on the lakes of Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. He was never afraid of hard work and could fix anything. After retiring he enjoyed designing quilt patterns and frames for his wife.
He made sure that his daughters had a good education and was always a great provider. He will be missed by his family.


He is survived by his wife and their two daughters, Tammie Mirgon (Brian) of Columbus, Ohio and Dorinda Gold (Ray), grandson Kyle Gold of Everton, Missouri, and brother Kenneth Stotts of Edmond. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Glen.


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stillwater Humane Society or Judith Karman Hospice.