Funeral Mass held for Jerri Gaye Cachero

Jerri Gaye Cachero (nee Simes) age 64, passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Norman Regional Healthplex in Norman, Oklahoma. She was born at the Ada Hospital in Ada, Oklahoma on February 23, 1961, to Harmon Henry Simes, Jr. and Shirley Mavis Simes (nee Ray). As her father was in the military, the family moved frequently, exposing her to different cultures and customs, which imbued her with a curiosity and tolerance for people’s differences, evolving into a well-rounded personality. This served her well in a career path that extended from her high school days as a member of the Lawton High School newspaper, the Tattler, followed by completion of her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Cameron University.

Not satisfied with achieving one goal, she went on to pursue a graduate degree in Regional and City Planning at the University of Oklahoma, which gave her an opportunity to teach at the college level. The pursuit of an education ran parallel to a diverse work history that not only expanded her experience in dealing with people as a senior interviewer with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, but supplemented her Pell Grant and allowed her to live independently. It was during her OESC stint that she met and married a co-worker, veterans’ representative, Rudy Cachero on December 6, 1997.

Using her graduate degree as an opportunity to become a program coordinator, first at Oklahoma City Metro Tech, and then moving on to Rose State College, she realized her ultimate goal of teaching at the college level, becoming an adjunct professor in American Government classes, while continuing to work as a program coordinator for the college’s Department of Academic Affairs.

Jerri capped successful work career, taking medical retirement in 2018, the same year her husband retired from the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center.

Funeral arrangements were managed by Havenbrook Funeral Home under the direction of Mel Moore. There was a funeral mass held at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church at 2:00pm Thursday, July 10, 2025, Reverend Robert T.

Wood officiated, followed by a meal provided at the church by the Chickasaw Nation in honor of tribal member Jerri Cachero (Simes). A memorial gathering was held the following day, Friday, July 11, 2025 in the Chapel of Havenbrook Funeral Home at 8:00 AM with burial at the Clarita, OK Moore Cemetery at 11:00 AM.

Jerri is survived by her husband Rudy: her cousin, Nathalie House: brother-in-law, Francisco Cachero Jr. and family: wife, Leilani; son, Greg and his wife, Kristen; son, Jeff and his wife, Colleen; and daughter, Veronica: brother-inlaw, Philip and family: wife, Donna; daughter, Kristen; son, Casey and his wife, Sydney; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Greg Cachero, Anthony Cachero, Cody Cachero, Casey Cachero, Philip Cachero, and Rudolph Cachero.

Because of Jerri’s love for all animals, both wild and domestic and her frequent giving to these causes, please consider a donation in her memory to any animal rescue effort to carry on her philanthropy.