Gerald Ray Dildine

Gerald Ray Dildine of Collinsville, passed away Friday, March 25, 2011 in Tulsa surrounded by his loved ones. Gerald was born April 28, 1944 in Santa Ana, CA to James H. and Erabelle May (Kirkpatrick) Dildine, Jr. They moved to the Collinsville area when he was two. Gerald served in the Army from 1966- 1968. After the Army, he started his own commercial diving business, Tulsa Divers. Gerald married Linda Ford on December 23, 1987 in Arkansas. Together they raised five daughters. Gerald was a member of the PADI Diving Society, the Oklahoma Rural Water Association, and the Collinsville Church of the Nazarene where he was a Sunday School Teacher. He enjoyed driving around in his Corvette and watching his beloved Sooners and Lakers. Gerald touched many lives and will be missed.

Gerald is survived by Linda Dildine of the home; 5 daughters, Missy Tice and husband Blake, Cara Schlitz and husband Quint, Beth Henry and husband Steve, Danylle Farrell and husband Jeff, and Stephanie Pate and Fiance Tim Murphy; his brother, Patrick Kirk Dildine; his sister, Darla Davis and husband C.L.; 12 grandchildren, Jody, Shanna, Taylor, Gavin, Landon, Hunter, Brenna, Sam, Gracie, Connor, Ian, and Laynie; and numerous extended family and friends. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation: Sunday, March 27, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 28, 2011 at the Collinsville Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Tim Odom officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Collinsville. Services are under the direction of Collinsville Dolton Funeral Home, collinsvillefh.com.