Jerry W. Ozment

Jerry Wilburn Ozment was born on September 11, 1947. He married Mary Frances Barnard on March 19, 1966. They had to wait until Mary’s 18th birthday on March 14, 1966, because Mary’s mother refused to sign for any of her children. If things did not work, she did not want any of them to blame her. On Mary’s birthday they got their license and the marriage took place five days later. They have been husband and wife for over 55 years.

He is preceded in death by his mother Emmagene, his father Roland Dolph Ozment, and his sister Betty Jean. He is survived by his wife Mary, his three children: son, Dale Ozment and wife Kortney, daughter Tonya Horton and husband Dale, and son Michael Ozment and wife Gena; along with his children are his grandchildren: Megan Burpo and husband John, Kayla Davis and husband Matt, Dani Gonzales and husband Gabe, Kane Ozment, Jacey Horton, Rylie Ozment, Hadley Ozment, Dusti Ozment, Grady Ozment, and Grayson Ozment. In addition Jerry has been blessed with five great-grandchildren: Keegan and Piper Burpo, Khloe and Jay Davis, and Addi Gonzales.

Jerry’s life of service began when he answered God’s call at age 15 and received his exhorter’s ministerial license when he was 16. He was ordained at age 18 and was given his first church which was about to close as it only had one member left. He took the assignment saying that he could not do anything that would hurt. When he left the church it had over fifty members. This was to set the pattern for his life. He was blessed at planting and recharging churches and started at least three from the ground up. Loving missions and people everywhere, he and Mary awoke each day looking for someone who needed help, asking God to use them in the service of His kingdom.

All his life he preached the saving grace of Jesus. A friend to the lost and lonely, the door to the home he and Mary established was always open to those in need of shelter, both physically and spiritually. Even more than the door to their home, they opened their hearts abundantly sharing the love of God. During his over 55 years of active ministry, he touched countless lives. This did not change with retirement. Wherever their home was established, the door was open and the presence of God filled the place.

His children were taught to sing and to serve others, but beyond this, they were taught God’s love and how to share it. He and Mary created a loving family that is blessed by their examples, children who are now parents and grandparents who continue to pass on the love of God to everyone they encounter. He could not have given them a greater gift.

His grandchildren - they call him Papa - have been so blessed by his daily examples of love. Megan, Kayla, and Dani remember his special grilled cheese sandwiches, his chicken noodle soup, his hidden stash of candy bars in his office desk drawer, and most of all his dedication to study, prayer, and attention to the needs of others.

Kane, for many years the lone grandson, would only go shopping with Papa, no one else, and only when they were going to Sam’s on sample days. Jerry made certain that this was a weekly trip in which they sampled their way through the store as they shopped.

Jacey spoke so beautifully of the honor and privilege she had as a granddaughter and a nursing student to help “Grandma” take care of “Papa” during the final weeks of his life. She and all of the others loved just being in his presence.

Dusti was fortunate enough to spend her preschool years with them as Megan, Kayla, Dani, and Kane had. One day when Dusti was a baby, Dale asked his father to call him at work if Dusti rolled over during the day since she almost had the night before. Jerry never called and when Dale arrived after work, Jerry said, “Dale, it is hard to roll over when you are in someone’s arms.”

Rylie, Hadley, Grady, and Grayson also loved being with Papa and Grandma. They remember the peppermints that he always kept for them, rocking in the big chair in his arms while he sang Yankee Doodle, and singing for him. Visiting on Sundays meant that the “Michael Ozment Quartet” - Rylie, Hadley, Grady, and Grayson would play their instruments and sing for the congregation. He knew how to make everyday experiences so special, and he knew how to laugh. Once when they were visiting and Mary was running errands, Jerry decided that they should do something special for her, so they washed and dried every dish in the cabinets and had them sitting on the table when Mary arrived home. Rylie does not remember who put the dishes away, but she remembers both Jerry and Mary laughing.

His love for his great-grandchildren and their love for him is so evident by the example of Jay (now 17 months old) who would climb into Jerry’s arms while he was in his hospital bed and lay his head on Papa’s chest. Khloe, Keegan, Piper, and Addi needed to see him and to kiss him. The love he spent his life sharing is returned to him in multiples.

His earthly life reflects his often spoken words, “I quit believing God could do anything because I KNOW God can do anything. Knowing leaves no room for doubt.”