He attended Wicomico County Schools and graduated from Wicomico High School. He then served in the US Air Force including completing a two-year tour in Japan. Following the completion of his military service, he pursued and earned a degree in mortuary science.
In High School, he was employed at the Hill Funeral Home where he became interested in mortuary science. He began his mortuary career at Gawler’s Funeral Home in Washington, DC which was founded in 1850. He believed that his experience with this company was an invaluable asset to the remainder of his career. Before partnering with Lousie Hill and Norman Baker in 1971 to establish the Hill, Baker, Bounds Funeral Home in Salisbury, he worked with Norman Dennis at the Dennis Funeral Home in Snow Hill, MD. Following the death of Lousie Hill, and the retirement of Norman Baker, Jerry owned and managed the Bounds Funeral Home until his retirement in 1998.
Jerry was also an active participant in many community organizations. He was a member of the Wicomico Masonic Lodge #91 AF & AM, a member of the Scottish Rite, a member of the Boumi Temple Shriners and the Eastern Shore Shrine Club, a member of Bethesda United Methodist Church where he served on many different committees through the years, and a lifetime member of BPOE Elks Lodge #817. He served faithfully on the Maryland State Board of Funeral Directors for many years. He was also involved with several service organizations including the Salisbury Kiwanis Club and the Rockawalkin Ruritan Club.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Ann Dennis Bounds; a son, Dr. Christian D. Bounds and his wife Marybeth of Salisbury; three grandchildren, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Garrett Bounds; two brothers, Bruce Bounds and Michael (Barbara) Bounds; a sister-in-law, Jeannette Dennis; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ronnie Bounds; and a brother-in-law, Mitchell Dennis. He was a dedicated, loving, and devoted man who will be dearly missed by his family.
A funeral service will be held Sunday, October 24, 2021 at 2pm at Bounds Funeral Home on East Main St in Salisbury where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Entombment in Parsons Cemetery will be private.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Jerry to Bethesda United Methodist Church, 406 N. Division St. Salisbury, MD 21801; Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802; or a charity of your choice.
Visit www.boundsfuneralhome.com to share stories or memories with the family.
