Jerry Bryan Britton 1938 – 2020

Jerry Bryan Britton, 82, passed away Oct. 3 in Edgewood. He was born Jan. 23, 1938 in Anadarko, Oklahoma, to the late Bufford and Elizabeth (Bryan) Britton. Jerry came to New Mexico in 1956 from Oklahoma as an 18 year old enlisted Airman/radar Operator at a Radar Base near the Wagon Wheel business. He met his wife Sonja at Blackie's Restaurant in Moriarty, and they were married in 1958. After leaving the Air Force, Jerry and Sonja had a brief residency in Oklahoma but moved back to New Mexico to help run Blackie's after the death of Sonja's father. Jerry soon bought a local concrete and gravel business which was the beginning of many successful businesses owned by the Brittons. Jerry loved Torrance County and New Mexico even though many considered him an “Okie.” Jerry served two terms as a Torrance County Commissioner and 21 years as a Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative board member and chairman. Jerry spent many years at rodeo grounds watching his children rope and ride, and taking part in many roping events himself; afterward there many trips to the lake for fishing and skiing with friends and family. Later in life Jerry took up a love for Cushman scooters and restored some. He and Sonja traveled across the country to attend Cushman meets and made many new friends in this adventure. Jerry's gift for conversation and a good joke now and then was always welcomed at coffee with his local buddies and this was something he looked forward to every day. Jerry loved working on projects around the family home, helping friends and loved his family, always wanting what was best for them. Jerry took pride in everything he did and if it didn't meet his expectation, he did it again. Jerry was also preceded in death by his son, Monty Bryan Britton. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sonja Britton; daughter, Sherry Weingarten; brother, Dr. Kent Britton and wife Terri; sister, Ruth Ann Johnson; brother-inlaw, Steve Ingram; daughter-in-law, Myra Britton; grandchildren, Jerred Weingarten and wife Anna, Abrielle Gleeson and husband Ryan, and Cody Britton; great-grandchildren, Noah,

Tessa and Raylan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside memorial service will take place Oct. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the Mountain View Cemetery in Moriarty. The family has named the N.M. National DWI Victims Memorial as their charity of choice. Donations in Jerry's name can be sent to Memorial of Perpetual Tears, P.O. Box 534, Moriarty, NM, 87035.