Gerald Sellers

Jerry Sellers, age 82, passed on to a greater place on June 23, 2010. He was the eldest son of Narva A. Sellers and Emma A. (Sassaman) Sellers. Jerry was born in Ottawa, Kansas and lived in the area for 42 years. A Memorial service will be held at Dengel and Son Mortuary in Ottawa, KS, Saturday, June, 26, 2010, at 2:00 PM. Jerry married Beverly Mille in 1954 and they had two children, Mike and Linda. He joined the Army and served from March 1955 - March 1957. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Private First Class. He won numerous awards while serving. He worked in construction trucking until he went to work for Martin Marietta Aggregates in 1963 as a dozer operator. Jerry married Susan Buehler on December 19, 1970. With Susan's children, Laurie and Dennis, they became a blended family. They moved to Merriam, KS in 1971 where Susan still resides. Jerry was promoted to Plant Manager for Martin Marietta in 1972 and remained in that position until his retirement in January 1990. He received many awards and accolades for safety, production, and in 1975 he received National acclaim for having an honor plant. In 1976 he selected the limestone rock that would represent the State of Kansas at the Liberty Mall in Philadelphia. He was credited for saving the life of a State worker who was severely burned while working on a project that Martin Marietta and the State of Kansas were working on together. His retirement wishes were to plant trees, save the wolves, and dog sled in Ely, Minnesota. He was able to work on accomplishing these goals - and more. In 1996, he and Susan went to the Iditarod in Alaska - it was the trip of a lifetime. Jerry held membership in the Eagles, Kansas Limestone Association, and he volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Kansas City Arrowhead Lions Club and he could always be counted on for all their behind the scenes jobs. He drove the hearing van, set up for health screenings, and would transport our blind friends from one function to another. He helped raise Parker, a leader dog for the blind. He received the Parker Service Award in 1996 and Lion of the Year in 2001. His club honored him by adopting a lion at the Kansas City Zoo in his name. Jerry was a gentle, quiet man; honorable and loyal. He loved all dogs and always had a dog cookie in his pocket to share with his four legged friends. Antioch Park in Merriam was his solace - feeding geese, walking the grounds and just enjoying nature. He was always grateful to others and was honored to have his many friends. His family wishes to thank Arnold for the ramp, Gary for the tomatoes, Terry for asking, Johnnie for her unconditional support and Lynn for his 50 years of friendship. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Narva and Emma; mother-in-law, Marcia Parker; sisters Shirley Bowling and Eleanor Barlow; Nephews, Charles and Rex Bowling; and Brother-in-law, Ronnie Barlow. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Susan; their children - Mike (Cindy) Sellers, Linda (Jack) Judd, Laurie Buehler-May and Dennis Buehler. Grandchildren, David (Lorie) Sellers; Ivie Judd; Robert, Annalee, Andrew and Ryan Buehler-May. Great-grandchildren, Breann and Nicole Sellers. Sister - Carol (Kenneth) Mille. Brother - John (Pat) Sellers. Father-in-Law, Bob Parker. Brothers-in-law Norman Bowling and Steve (Pam) Parker. His former wife Beverly, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Gerald Sellers Trust in care of Dengel and Son to purchase trees to be planted in his name - or make a donation to the animal shelter of your choice.