Jerry Don Priest

Services for Jerry Don Priest, 83, of Canton, Texas are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton. Max Callahan, officiating. Interment will be in Cana Cemetery.

Jerry Don passed away on June 3, 2022, in Tyler, Texas. He was born on October 22, 1938, in Canton to Henry Grady and Ruby Lee Westmoreland Priest. After attending Canton schools, he transferred to Forest High School and graduated from Crozier Tech High School in Dallas, Texas.

Jerry married his high school sweetheart Jo Ann Bucher on July 25, 1958, in Kaufman, Texas and they lived in Dallas for eleven years before establishing their cattle ranch and home in Canton. They were one month shy of celebrating 64 years of marriage together. After 25 years of service with TransCon Lines, he retired and decided to take a leap of faith and opened Jerry's Pizza in Canton in 1976. Jerry's Pizza became a Van Zandt community staple and has remained in business after 46 years. While maintaining the cattle operations and the restaurant, Jerry was elected to the Kaufman County Electric Cooperative, now Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative, Board of Directors in 1981 and remained in his position until his death. He enjoyed his car collection, riding in the Polaris with his dog, Didley, and talking to people. And, when Jerry started a conversation with someone, they knew they would be talking with him for a long while.

Mr. Priest is preceded in death by his parents, Grady and Ruby Lee Priest. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Priest of Canton; son, Jeff Priest, and wife, Arija of Canton; daughter, Donna Priest Coffelt of Boston, MA; son, Greg Priest and wife, Nida of Tyler; seven grandchildren: Olivia Barina and husband, Chad; Grady Priest and wife, Madison; Madison Coffelt, Mackenzie Coffelt, and Jack Coffelt; Tyler Priest and Kate Priest; and two great-grandchildren: Michael Barina and Avery Barina.

Pallbearers are Robert Westmoreland, Billy Westmoreland, Benny Westmoreland, Steve Teel, and Gary Priest. Honorary pallbearers are past and present CEOs and Board Members of Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative.

The family will receive friends 6-8 pm Monday at the funeral home.