Jerry D. Lazenby

Jerry Douthit Lazenby of Austin, Texas passed away Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the age of 87. Jerry was battling pneumonia and was hospitalized in Cedar Park, Texas for 5 days before passing. He was very blessed to be with his only daughter, Dana and son-in-law Brad Neely as he went to be with The Lord.

Jerry was born in Birmingham, Alabama on November 6, 1938, to Pauline Gilmore Lazenby and John Lazenby. This is where he lived his childhood and adolescent years. As a young child he was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the spine and lost his ability to walk. Through a miraculous surgery by a doctor in Montgomery, Alabama, Jerry had a bone removed from his shin and placed in his spine which allowed him to fully recover and finally start the first grade at eight years old. Jerry attended Phillips High School in Birmingham. He followed his mother and stepfather to South Carolina on a job offer for his stepfather and finished his high school years at Greenwood High School. During high school, Jerry enlisted in the Army Reserves for which he served 8 years. During his service, Jerry went on to attend Lander College in Greenwood, South Carolina, graduating in 4 years with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1963. During college Jerry received many accolades including President of his Senior Class and being a member of Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. He was also a member of the Student Government Association, the Athletic Association and Men’s Club. An avid music lover, he was privileged to sing a bit while at Lander with the group, The Discords. Despite Jerry not being able to formulate a music career with the group due to other career demands, the Discords went on to become The Swingin’ Medallions who are extremely popular for their hit “Double Shot of My Baby’s Love.” Jerry was certainly very proud of his former college schoolmates and still knew every word to the song and many more. Lander is also where Jerry met his lovely bride to be Valerie Gaillard, and they married in December of 1962. Jerry and Valerie were married for 54 years before her passing in 2016.

Jerry’s career began in Greenwood with Monsanto as a Foreman and there in Greenwood, Jerry and Valerie welcomed two children, Michael Douthit, 1963 and Dana Courtenay, 1968. Jerry developed his long career with Monsanto accepting every opportunity for growth with the company, moving the family from sea to shining sea. The first move was from Greenwood to New Jersey in 1970, where he worked in New York City at the Empire State Building, traveling the subway day in and day out. In 1972, Jerry took on another opportunity and the family moved to the Atlanta area in Georgia. In 1976, California came calling and a move to the Bay Area was next. In 1980, it was then another relocation to Pensacola, Florida, where the entire family became Beach Connoisseurs. The final move occurred in 1984 to Austin, Texas where Jerry became a proud Longhorn dad (Dana) and retired as the Manager of Personnel with Monsanto/Fisher Controls/Emerson in 1993 at the age of 55. Early retirement served him well as he continued his dedication to his church, Bethany United Methodist, volunteering for various needs such as mowing the grounds and prayer groups with Valerie. He was able to worship, travel with Valerie, provide support for his family and set a true example of humility and gratefulness for all of life’s blessings.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Valerie Gaillard Lazenby (2016), his son, Michael Douthit Lazenby (2020) and his parents, Pauline Gilmore Lazenby Stewart and John Lazenby. Jerry is survived by his daughter, Dana Lazenby Neely and son in law, Brad Neely of Cedar Park, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Stewart of Tennessee, his nephew, Tyler Gaillard of South Carolina, his granddaughter, Lesleigh Lazenby Hallford and his grandsons, Michael Drew Lazenby and Justin Douthit Lazenby, of Alabama. Jerry was also very blessed to have nine great grandchildren.

Jerry was a contributor to many organizations, including Shriners Children’s, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wounded Warrior Project and St. Jude’s. He remained present to his commitments to all.

Jerry’s passions included his faith in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and of course his cherished family. Jerry was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church for 41 years. He loved music, singing, Longhorn sports, playing golf, sweet treats (Nutty Buddies), McDonald’s cheeseburgers (not the quarter pounders with cheese) and anything Texas Barbecue. Jerry also loved keeping in touch with lifelong friends throughout the course of his life from Alabama to Austin, trips to Pensacola Beach, trips to South Carolina for visits with Mary Ann and the Boggs family, memorable visits from his brother, Bill, quality phone conversations with his nephew, Tyler, visiting with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his former weekly lunches with his retirement buddies, many years of Easter suppers with Danny Valines, his fun filled outings with Tim Kinsley, morning chats with his at home caregiver, Daena Murray, Brad and Dana’s dog, Sadie Mae (Sadie watched over him like a hawk) and their 21-year long cul-de-sac family in Cedar Park. Jerry was also extremely grateful for the entire Neely Family for embracing his daughter, Dana, for the last 23 years and he was certain that she would be in excellent hands when he left this earth.

He was lovingly cared for in the last year of his life by the amazing people and caregivers at The Auberge Assisted Living in Cedar Park where he formed many bonded relationships. Jerry was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by many. A Celebration of Life will be thoughtfully planned at a later date, but his ashes will remain with Dana and Brad.

The family is truly grateful for all the thoughts and prayers during this time of sadness and loss, and they truly wish God’s blessings upon you.