General Info

Gerry Optical originated on January 23, 1912. Oliver H. Gerry, the founder, sold medical equipment to the eye professionals. He and his fellow employees also made eye wear, both wholesale and retail. The first location was in the Grand Avenue Temple building at 9th and Grand downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The company was moved to the Professional Building at 11th and Grand in 1931. In 1948, the first branch office was opened in Prairie Village, Kansas a suburb of Kansas City. From this modest beginning, we have expanded to 9 locations serving the Greater Kansas City area. Our main lab and super store located in Overland Park, Kansas has a large selection of eyeglasses, and an ophthalmologist available for eye exams by appointment. Our professionally trained staff has an average of 30 years' experience in optics. One-hour service is available on most orders at our main location; located at 75th & Antioch Street. Eight of our other 10 locations have doctors available. Our safety department has provided safety glasses for quite a number of local industries for many years. The Murphy family has been involved with O.H. Gerry Optical from the beginning. Matthew A. Murphy, Sr. ( Al Murphy ) went to work as a delivery boy in 1912 and purchased the company when Mr. Gerry died in 1926. Al Murphy's son, Matthew A. Murphy, Jr. ( Pat Murphy ) started part time in 1949 and became full time in 1955 after a tour of duty with the army, and education and training in optics. Al's grandson, Matthew A. Murphy, III ( Matt Murphy ) started working with the company in 1976 after training and education in optics. Al Murphy died in 1983 and his son and grandson have been operating the company since then. O.H. Gerry Optical has prepared eyeglasses for all segments of our society'From the President of the United States ( Harry S. Truman ) to free glasses for the indigent.