Jerry Vance Kaigler

All the World was forever changed when Jerry Vance Kaigler was born to Hattie and Jerry Kaigler on January 15, 1971 at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Jerry was baptized at an early age and had accepted Christ, including having rededicated himself to Christ over the years preceding his passing.

Jerry developed a love of sports and fitness at an early age, including baseball when he first started playing with a glove larger than he was. He and his brother enjoyed playing with butterflies to pass the time in the outfield. Jerry also enjoyed running track with the Chillum Track Club while he attended St. John Baptist de la Salle in Chillum, MD. He developed a particular love of football when he started at the tender age of 5 years old with the Lewisdale Little League. While not nearly one of the bigger boys on the field, his heart was as big as any he played with or against. He went on to play at Archbishop Carroll High School where he graduated with honors in 1989.

Jerry’s passion for sports and fitness included basketball and boxing, but focused on football and running. He was a dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan despite being a native Washingtonian, which most know, takes some dedication, patience and strength when living in the D.C. Metropolitan area. His love for running included putting in many miles each week, and included completing nearly ten of the prestigious Marine Corps Marathons held annually in D.C. – surely a tribute to his father, a U.S. Marine.

Jerry continued his academic and athletic pursuits when he entered Howard University in Washington, D.C. in the Fall of 1989 to major in Elementary Education. He continued his love of football while playing for the Bison. Yet, one of his proudest moments at Howard was his initiation into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through Alpha Chapter in the Spring of 1993 as the #2 on his line. He cherished his time at Howard, in Omega, and the many friendships he made along the way.

While at Howard, Jerry grew his love and strengthened his commitment to teaching by observing his mother, Hattie, a career teacher in Washington, D.C. He would often leave Howard after classes to visit with his mother to learn first-hand about to commitment and passion needed to succeed in his chosen path of education and working with youth. After graduating from Howard in the Spring of 1993, Jerry began his career as an educator in the Prince George’s County Public School System as a Third Grade Teacher at Greenbelt Elementary School. During his career, his teaching stints included Mt. Ranier Elementary School in Mt. Ranier, MD and Kingsford Elementary School in Mitchellville, MD where he established many professional bonds and personal friendships. He also went on to earn a Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling at Bowie State University in Bowie, MD, and later worked part-time at Safeway in the Fairwood Shopping Center in Bowie, MD.

Jerry held a most sincere love for family as a proud son, brother, and a father. He followed the career path of his loving mother and had a son’s undying love and admiration for his father, Jerry, a U.S. Marine and career law enforcement officer who retired at the rank of Sergeant with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Jerry’s love for teaching was also reinforced by his older brother, Brian, and younger sister, Joan, who were both career educators.

Still, Jerry’s greatest accomplishments and proudest joys were his two daughters. He married the former Sabrina Jackson, and to their union was born Ayanna Alexandria (“Alex”). He later remarried the former Lauren Holmes, and to their union was born Ava. Jerry was a doting father who treasured his time with Alex and Ava. He was very active and engaged throughout their years where he often planned all manner of activities and outings with them, such as visits to aquariums, museums, and zoos, as well as to amusement parks, car shows, air shows and going fishing.

Jerry enjoyed supporting his daughter’s endeavors through his active and supportive presence during cheerleading, dance, theater, and track, and he often assisted as a parent sponsor. Jerry was truly a King who took great pride in the development and successes of his Princesses throughout their lives, including Alex’s graduation in 2022 from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD and Ava’s 2023 acceptance at the competitive Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, MD. He loved being a father and did it well.

Jerry was preceded in death by his mother Hattie, his sister Joan, his paternal grandmother Ora, and his uncle Lawrence.

He leaves to cherish his memory, daughters Alex and Ava, father Jerry, brother Brian, Alex’s mother Sabrina (Manigault) and Ava’s mother Lauren (Washington), his aunt Carolyn (Carey), nephew Brian Kaigler Jr., niece Bryanna Kaigler, his Brothers of the Alpha Chapter 1993 Line, tens of thousands of Omega Men worldwide, and countless co-workers and friends whose lives he touched.

In Lieu of Flowers

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:25 ESV

In lieu of flowers and in memory of Jerry, consider donating via Bursting With Promise, Inc. (BWP) to benefit the students of Kingsford Elementary School (KES) where Jerry taught for many years.

Donations will support BWP’s ongoing partnership with KES to provide educational supplies and will help expand to include winter coats, rain gear, shoes, etc. BWP is an IRS-approved non-profit organization and your donations may be fully tax deductible. Thank you for your kind generosity, and may God bless you and yours.

A gathering for Jerry will be held Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, Maryland 20722, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fort-lincoln.com for the Kaigler family.