Jerry W Akers

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betty Francis Akers. His surviving sister is Jean Strickland of Florence, AL. From the earliest age, Jerry had big ideas and aspirations for his life. After growing up in Hohenwald, Tennessee and Florence, Alabama, Jerry joined the United States Air Force at the

age of 17 and served several years at home and abroad, including as a medical technician in the Korean War.

Upon leaving the Air Force, Jerry began his private career as a hospital medical technician. He then began his life-long passion in medical sales as a pharmaceutical rep with Winthrop Laboratories, Sorenson, and Gould, Inc.

In 1981, Jerry left the corporate world and founded his own medical supply and service business, SEMA Medical, Inc. For 25 years, Jerry, along with help from his family and employees, grew SEMA Medical from meager beginnings to a highly successful medical business known throughout the southeast region at the time of his retirement in 2004. Under Jerry's leadership and vision, SEMA was best known for developing first-of-their kind, custom perfusion packs used in open-heart bypass surgery procedures, and for providing unsurpassed service for valued customers. Jerry Akers is succeeded in life by his two daughters, Jodi and Cheri, and their husbands, Todd and Tracy of Birmingham. Also, by his son, Joe, and his wife Cindy of Minneapolis, MN; Grandchildren Laren Skaggs of Atlanta, Will Skaggs of Birmingham, Mary Katherine Leos and Sarah Leos of Birmingham, and Sam and Natalie Akers of Minneapolis. Services will be held Monday, February 27, 2017 beginning with visitation at 9:30 AM in the chapel at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, followed by a Service at 10:30 AM in the chapel with Dr. Kip McClurg presiding. Burial with military honors will follow at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in honor of Jerry W. Akers.

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.