Jaret "Jerry" Lee Megli, known by his grandchildren as Papaw, died peacefully on Oct. 31, 2009, in Oklahoma City at age 77. Jerry was born April 5, 1932, in Weatherford, Okla., to Harvey L. Megli and Elgin Christina Hardin Megli. He married Irva Jean Appleman on July 19, 1949, in Hydro, Okla., and the couple resided in Warr Acres, Okla., for the majority of their time together. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sharon Carson; son, Ricky Lee Megli; and daughter, Toni Lynn Wright. He is survived by his wife, of the home; daughter, Karla Kay Megli of Hydro; son-in-law, Keith Wright and wife Susie of Yukon, Okla.; brother-in-law, Dennis Carson of Lakeside, Calif.; grandsons: Scott Wright and wife Taushayna of Yukon; Kelly Wright and wife Jamie of Bethany, Okla.; and Chris Webber and wife Regina of Yukon; granddaughter, Kasey Rooney and husband Brian of Bethany; great-grandsons, Braylen Owen Wright of Bethany and Tayden Keel Wright of Yukon; great-granddaughter, Annabelle Grace Webber of Yukon; and nephews, Kent Carson and Kevin Carson and their families. Jerry grew up in Weatherford, where he attended high school. He and his wife, Jean, and their three children lived in Hydro until 1960, when they moved to Warr Acres. Jerry was a bricklayer for more than 30 years and was a member of the Bricklayers Union for more than 50 years. In 1985, he gave up masonry and purchased his first dump truck. He spent the next 23 years hauling dirt, sand and asphalt for various roads and other building projects around Oklahoma City and the entire state. When he wasn't in his truck, you could find Jerry at a local restaurant, drinking coffee and talking to anyone who sat down, spending time at the Bricklayers Union, or visiting with his buddies at C&E Truck Repair. Whatever he was doing, you could be sure he was wearing a big cowboy hat and an even bigger smile, waiting for the next opportunity to tell an old joke or drop in a funny one-liner. In the early years of their marriage, Jerry and Jean spent many summers on the road and many Friday nights on the dance floor. Whether they were traveling with their kids or their dog, Tuffy, they loved to be outdoors. They were especially fond of the west, regularly taking trips through the scenery of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, which included several visits to Yellowstone National Park. If one of the old songs came on the radio, Jerry would tell of his glory days on the dance floor, when he and Jean could cut a rug with the best in OKC. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids, or telling others how proud he was of them. A memorial service for Jerry will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Bill Merritt Funeral Home, 6201 NW 39th Expressway, with interment to follow at 3:30 p.m. at Hydro Masonic Cemetery. Pallbearers are Keith Wright, Scott Wright, Kelly Wright, Chris Webber, Brian Rooney and Kurt Wright. Honorary pallbearers are Dennis Carson, Jay Hardin, Orville Megli, Carl Megli, Jerry's dump-trucking friends and members of the Oklahoma City Bricklayers Union.


Published in The Oklahoman on November 3, 2009