Jerry Alderson

Jerry J. Alderson (1902-1939) was born in Ector, Texas and came to Durant, Oklahoma as a child with his family. He graduated from Durant High School and earned his degree from Southeastern State Teachers College (summer 1925). He served as principal of Boswell High School, then superintendent of Alluwe consolidated schools, and finally principal of Hartshorne High School for three years. In 1926, he married Mary McClary of Hugo, Oklahoma. They had two sons, Nicholas and Lowell. Jerry died April 12, 1939 at age 37 in a McAlester hospital from spinal meningitis that developed from an abscess in his head. Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Hartshorne, and he was buried at Highland Cemetery in Durant.