The Reverend Dr. Jerold David Shetler

The Reverend Dr. Jerold David Shetler, Pastor Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, peacefully transitioned from this life to his heavenly home on March 11, 2025. Surrounded by his loving family, he leaves behind a legacy of faith, service and compassion that touched thousands of lives throughout his 54 years in ministry.

Dr. Shetler was born June 29th, 1934, in Flint Michigan, to Doris and Emil Shetler. He was the youngest of four siblings and spent much of his childhood near the University of Michigan campus. Dr. Shetler attended Kernersville Wesleyan Academy, a boarding school in North Carolina. There, he distinguished himself as Class President and Valedictorian. In 1956, he married Jane Eleanor Lewis, fulfilling a promise he had made when he first spotted her during his academy days. That same year Dr. Shetler graduated from Bridgewater College before furthering his education at Union Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, where he served as both Student Council President and Class President. In 1961 following graduation from Union Seminary, Dr. Shetler was ordained and became pastor of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church in Covington, Virginia. In 1965 he took on the role as founding pastor of Saint Giles Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, North Carolina where he played a pivotal role in nurturing the congregation which grew from 57 to over 400 members during his seven-year tenure. In 1971 Dr. Shetler became Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Four years later, in 1975, he accepted the Senior Pastor position at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas. During his 14 years in Dallas, the congregation undertook several significant building campaigns and doubled in size. Dr. Shetler also contributed to the church's successful radio ministry on KERA, the local PBS station, which further expanded their outreach and engagement with the community. In 1984 Dr. Shetler was a proud recipient of a Bum Steer Award from Texas Monthly Magazine for his notable and humorous involvement in an incident where he wrangled a Longhorn steer that had escaped from the church's live nativity scene in the middle of the night. In 1988 he accepted the call to serve as Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, a congregation with a rich history dating back to 1824. He became only the 10th pastor in the church's history. In 1998 Dr. Shetler officially retired from parish ministry. He then accepted a position at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. After his service at the Seminary, he continued to serve in interim pastorates as Senior Pastor at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, Texas and First Presbyterian Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. His ongoing involvement in interim roles allowed him to continue contributing to congregations and serve and support their various ministries and missions.

In 2002, Jerry and Jane moved to San Antonio to be closer to their children and grandchildren. The last 23 years of his life were spent with family enjoying birthdays, holidays and any excuse to get together with family. Jerry was a devoted husband to his wife, Jane, of 69 years, and a loving father to their three children: David (Isa) Suzanne (Louis Cheek) and Todd (Michelle). He cherished his time with his 11 grandchildren: Emily (Clayton Arlitt), Joseph (Kaylee), Susana (Alex Przedpelski), Katy, Greer (Tatum), David (Merna), Blake, Margaret, Maddy, Abby and Henry, who adoringly called him "Poppy" and took great interest in their daily lives. Poppy was also blessed to know 5 of his great grandchildren: Hamilton, Payton, Bess, Vivienne and Blair. Poppy loved the old school art of a handwritten note, a call to check in, saying "I Love You", a good college football game, Amazon, a good pair of sneakers, collecting antiques, clocks and watches, a loyal dog, laughter and storytelling.

Dr. Shetler is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Don, Ray and Joyce. The Family expresses their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Dr. Bradley Kayser and his nurse, Irene Castillo, for their devoted care as well as his special caregivers, Joyce, Ta'Mara and JP.

A celebration of life will be held at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 9800 Preston Rd, Dallas , TX 75230, on Saturday, April 26th, 2025, at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his honor to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (www.austinseminary.edu), Presbyterian Children's Home (www.giving.pchas.org) or to the charity of your choice.