Jerry Odell Birch was born February 16, 1942, in Davis, to the late Odell G. and Betty Lucille (Chadwick) Birch. He died on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Sulphur, at the age of 84. Jerry married the love of his life, the former Ms. Linda Dell Cash, on January 5, 1968, in Sulphur. She preceded him in death on January 26, 2009. Her death changed his world forever.

Jerry was a lifelong resident of Davis. After graduating from Davis High School, Class of 1960, he attended Oklahoma State University, earning a degree in Agriculture Education. While attending OSU, Jerry began working for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, which led to a 38-year career in the telecommunications industry. Jerry, along with his brother, Charles, was responsible for installing and maintaining phone service in and around Davis for many years. If a customer had an issue, one or both Birch brothers could take care of it. Jerry believed in civic service. He served on the Davis Public Schools Board of Education, as well as the Davis City Council, serving as Mayor for several years. He was a faithful member of the Davis Assembly of God for many years.

Jerry was quiet by nature, but, when needed, he could make his presence or thoughts well known. He was fair and just, and expected others to be the same. He enjoyed being outdoors in nature. Whether it was mowing the yard, burning leaves, or feeding the chickens, he was most comfortable being outdoors. Jerry, like the rest of his family, enjoyed horse racing. In earlier years he was in the middle of training and tending to the horses and enjoyed seeing their hard work payoff as the horses took to the track.

After retiring from the phone company, Jerry took up bicycle riding. For 20 years, he averaged 20 miles a day on his bike. Many of those miles he was accompanied by his granddaughter, Casha, whom he thought hung the moon. He also enjoyed trying his luck at local casinos.

The final years of Jerry’s life were plagued with dementia. It was very frustrating for him not to be able to do the things he once could do or remember things; however, day by day, Jerry, with the help of his family, persevered and dealt with it the best they could.

Survivors include his son, Kevin Birch; his daughter, Kelly Birch; granddaughter, Casha Dale Birch; great-granddaughter, Danni Jo Dale Birch; niece, Nicki Nowlin and husband Wendall; nephew, Jerry Charles Birch and wife Shelia; brother-in-law, Carl “Corkey” Cash; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents and his beloved wife, Jerry was preceded in death by his brother and best friend, Charles Gene Birch, and sister-in-law, Jackie Birch.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Midway Hill Baptist Church. Pastor Willard McCartney, Jr. will officiate the service. Interment will follow at the Green Hill Cemetery in Davis.

Services are “entrusted to” HALE’S FUNERAL HOME, DAVIS. Online condolences may be offered at halesfuneralhomes.com.