Jerry Allen Hanthorne

Jerry Allen "JugHead" Hanthorne, age 79, of Fort Wayne, Indiana peacefully passed away, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Jerry was born in Oklahoma City, OK. on April 25, 1945.

He grew up helping with the animals on his parents homestead, caring for the pheasants, deer, horses, donkey and his beloved dog, Jim. Jerry was a mechanic all of his life starting at a very young age, he was a jack of all trades and could build or repair anything.

Jerry, a man whose heart beat to the rhythm of the racetrack. He was a true NASCAR enthusiast and was heartbroke the day Dale Earnhardt died. In his younger years he would often drag race down 930 in New Haven in his 1955 Belair Wagon, which later led him to help build and maintain an open wheeled modified race car.

Jerry was devoted to his 5 Daughters whom he referred to as his Fab Five. His favorite moments were when his girls and grandkids were around. He enjoyed being around his grandkids teasing them and making them laugh. He could often be found sitting on the porch or out in his garage, enjoying a Budweiser and smoking a Winston. Jerry was the type of man who would help anyone anytime with his open door policy and loving embrace. He was a man of his word. You could ALWAYS count on him!

Those who cherish his memory are his daughters: Tamarra (James) Fry-Romines, Mishelle (Kent) Meyer, Melissa (Matthew) Madden, Angela (Chad) Lichtsinn, and son-in-law, David Lampkins.

Grandchildren: Jessica (Matthew) Cassady, Brandy Lampkins, Patrick (Brooke) Ryan, Jacob (Megan) Ryan, Kala (Michael) Blessing, Jeri (Timothy) Crise, Kadi (David) McCaig, Bobby Madden, Ashlee Madden, Timothy Bernardin, Shelby (Shane) Hammons, Jayci (Dillon) Slate, Dalton McCann and Spencer McCann. Great-Grandchildren: Seth Hanthorne, Cody Haire, Addyson Ardhuerumly, Aeiden Patton, Reese Ardhuerumly, Phoenix Ryan, Adysen Patton, Dilynn Crise, Ashtyn Madden, Sullivan Ryan, Kallie Gillespie, Sophia Bernardin, Colton Cassady, Maggie Crise, Makenna Ryan, Bronson Hammons, Westerly Ryan, Luca Blessing, Quinn Ryan, Grayson Crise, Elijah McCann, Landyn Blessing, Kylee Madden, Jasper McCann, Carter McCann, Dawson Hammons and Revery Slate.

Preceded in death by: parents, Thomas and Clare Hanthorne, beloved wife, Cynthia Hanthorne, precious daughter, Denise Lampkins, grandson, Austin McCann and sister, Joy Schieferstein.

The Family would like to give a special thanks to Rachel, his nurse from Heartland Hospice.

A visitation will be held on Sunday April 6, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Lakeside Park, 1140 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 followed by a funeral service at 4:00 pm. Jerry will be laid to rest at Highland Park Cemetery, 2403 East Wallen Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825.

Memorial Contributions in Jerry's memory may be directed to Heartland Hospice, 2720 Dupont Commerce Court, Suite 210, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 gentivahs.com/about/donate/.