Jerry A. Kerkes

Jerry Arlene Kerkes, beloved wife of David, died at the age of 71 in the early hours of October 5th in Houston, Texas, after a lengthy struggle with complications from heart surgery. Dave was at her side when she passed. Her physical heart was imperfect, but her emotional heart was flawless. She was endowed with a tremendous capacity to love.

Jerry was born in Beaumont, Texas to Ora Lee and Vernon Boardman. She grew up in Lumberton with her older brother Hal. Jerry attended Lamar University in Beaumont, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. She enjoyed a teaching career of more than 30 years, teaching English at the high school and college levels, where she was liked and respected by her students and colleagues. She met Dave in Houston in the spring of 1976 and they married on 22 January 1977; he was blessed to have her in his life for almost 39 years. Their marriage took them to Indiana, Colorado, Thailand, Indonesia, Connecticut, and back to Texas. She is survived by her husband, brother Hal Boardman of Lumberton, and sister Joyce Kemp of Houston. Jerry was always a woman of faith who lived in accordance with her belief in God. She was one of God’s finest creations, and the world is a little poorer and a little darker now that she is gone.

Visitations will be held on Saturday, October 11th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, and on Sunday, October 12th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, at Kingwood Funeral Home, 22800 Highway 59 North, Kingwood, Texas. Her funeral service will be held Monday, October 13th at 1:00 PM, at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 2929 Woodland Hills Drive, Kingwood, Texas, where she was an active member for the past 15 years.

Jerry loved flowers, but she loved animals even more. Therefore, in lieu of flowers we are asking that a small donation be made in her name to either one of her favorite animal charities, or to the animal charity of your choice. She would like that very much.

Wolf Haven International, Tenino, Washington (http://www.wolfhaven.org/)

PetSmart Charities, Phoenix, Arizona (http://www.petsmartcharities.org/)