Jerald Penn Hamar was the oldest child of Penn and Evelyn (Gore) Hamar. Born September 23, 1942 near Lenora, OK in the home of his Aunt Mable Squires. He passed away in Weatherford, OK on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Jerald Penn and his sisters Ruth Ann and Iva were raised in Taloga, OK with all of their many Gore cousins. He grew up hunting, playing basketball and baseball and even played a little trumpet in his younger years. Along with sports he created plenty of mischief with his best buddy Arlan and graduated a proud Taloga Panther in 1961.

He continued on to Weatherford graduating from Southwestern in 1965 with an Education degree in History and Physical Education and earned his Masters in Education in 1982.

Jerald spent many years farming with his dad also custom harvesting in Southwest Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. In the summer of 1960, they pulled on to a farm south of Duke, OK that would change his life forever. On August 24, 1963 Jerald would marry Vida Sue Marquart embarking on 59 years of ballgames, class parties, ballgames, bus trips, ballgames, graduations, more ballgames and then of course came golf tournaments.

Jerald began his education career in 1965 in Aline, OK coaching everything – boys and girls. Unknown to him at the time, he was taking over a boys basketball team with a 64-game losing streak. Those same Aline Bluebirds with the first – year coach not only won their first game of the of the new season but also completed the double by winning the Northwestern Tournament title along with the girls. A feat that to the people of Aline was like winning two state championships – something we can relate to here at Hydro-Eakly.

While at Aline, Jerald and Vida would expand their family with Pendra Sue in 1965 and Lanny Eugene in 1969.

In the summer of 1970 Jerald took a job coaching and teaching at Sharon-Mutual. As he did in college, he also spent time refereeing basketball before becoming high school principal in 1977.

In 1981 the family moved to Canton for one year before their last move to Hydro in 1982. Jerald spent a little time coaching baseball, teaching driver's ed. and social studies while serving as high school Principal before retiring in 1994.

Beginning in 1996 he would spend the next 26 years driving a school bus for Hydro-Eakly Public Schools. He finally quit driving that bus in 2022, however as many Hydro-Eakly athletes can tell you – he never did quit coaching.

Jerald grew up a member of the First Christian Church of Taloga and attended the Hydro Methodist Church. He was an active member of the Hydro Masonic Lodge #230 for 38 years. He became a Master Mason in 1987 and served the lodge in various offices – spending many years as Secretary and serving as Worshipful Master in 1995.

Jerald loved time with family and friends. There were many trips for Kason's golf across Oklahoma, to Hot Springs, Arkansas; Pensacola, Florida; to Missouri, Nebraska, Texas and Ohio. He was always ready for a Sooner football game and the annual trip to the "Big House." Jerald especially loved the family trip to Niagara Falls, Canada for he and Vida's 50th Anniversary in 2013. They spent their actual anniversary at the baseball field in Arapaho.

Jerald was very proud of his many years in education and cherished the friendships with fellow teachers and the many students he taught over the years. He loved reminiscing and retelling his favorite stories. He recently had the privilege of returning to where everything began – attending school reunions in both Taloga and Aline – and was now fully ready for the "Real Big House."

Jerald was preceded in death by his wife, Vida, parents Penn and Evelyn Hamar, in-laws Gib and Lillie Mae Marquart, brothers-in-law Daniel Barron and Jerry Marquart, and lifelong best friend Arlan Steers.

Jerald is survived by daughter Pendra Cook and husband Terry of Hydro; son Lanny Hamar of Hydro; Grandson Kason Penn Cook and wife Macey and great granddaughter Collins Grace Cook of Tryon, sisters Ruth Ann Barron of Taloga and Iva Phillips and husband Bill of Sharon, sisters-in-law Wydon Warren and husband Troy of Nixa, MO and Karla Marquart of Duke. He is also survived by special friends Cathy Meyer and family of Helena and Ellen Steers of Taloga. Many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hydro First Responders at P.O. Box 248, Hydro, OK 73048