Jerry “Bud” Lee Rider, formerly of Coffeyville, Kansas, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 83 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at Stonehaven Assisted Living and Memory Care, where he had resided for the last couple of years.
Jerry was born to Tyner Lee and Geraldine Leuretta (McMullin) Rider in Mayes County, Oklahoma, at the family home in the rural Chelsea area. Jerry attended school in Chelsea and graduated from Chelsea High School.
Jerry met Cheryl Gale Garman through a mutual friend. After a brief courtship, they were married on August 1, 1964, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They made their home in Bartlesville for two years before relocating to Coffeyville, which made Jerry’s commute to work shorter. For 60 years, Coffeyville was home. Jerry and Cheryl shared many fond memories together, including raising their children, David and Melinda, and had just celebrated 58 years of marriage at the time of Cheryl’s passing on February 25, 2023.
Jerry was a hard worker and began his adult working career with Olin Dixon Industries. He later became an operator at COOP Refinery and retired in 2010 under the management of Farmland Industries, now known as CVR Energy. Jerry worked in the Crude Unit, as well with the Fire Brigade. His family referred to his coworkers as the Crude Crew as his second family. Many lifelong friendships were cultivated during his time there.
He was also a self-taught engineer in many different fields; he could design, build, and fix just about anything. He was very knowledgeable about auto A/C repair, which became a side job for him and later led to home A/C repair as well. He put all his design, mechanical, and construction skills to use helping his family, friends, and neighbors. He was always kind, willing to lend a helping hand, and would be the first to say, “I can help you with that.” His kind nature was comforting to all, including strangers who became acquaintances by the time he wished them farewell.
In his spare time, Jerry enjoyed fishing and hunting, often taking his son, David, and daughter, Melinda “Mendy,” alongside him, making each trip even better. All who knew him knew that his family was the most important thing to him, and he always put their needs before his own. His love for his wife and children was unconditional and genuine.
When Jerry could no longer live alone at home, he moved to Tulsa to Stonehaven Assisted Living to be closer to his children. An added blessing was that he was at the same living center as his only brother, Dale, and the time they spent together was something they both enjoyed.
Jerry is survived by his son David Rider; daughter Mendy and Jason Coffey; grandchildren, Jonathan and Tina Coffey, Joey Coffey, and Madison Coffey; brother Dale Rider; brother and sister-in- laws, Alan and Nadine Solenberger, Norman and Carolyn Garman, Lonnie Garman and Connie Chapman. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Cheryl and sister-in-law who was also Jerry’s classmate Shirley Rider.
Memorial services celebrating Jerry’s life will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 2pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville, Kansas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, also at the chapel from 5-7pm. In assisting the family with sever allergies please cards only or do a kind act of service in Jerry’s memory. Services will be streamed live under his obituary page. To leave an online message of condolence or to share a memory, visit Jerry’s obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com.
