Jerry was born June 6, 1935, in Clinton Kentucky, to the late Archie P. and Dorothy D. (Lee) Martin. As a young man Jerry joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a radar technician, air traffic controller and contract specialist, mustering out at the rank of Master Sergeant following 22 years of service.
He married LaVerne, his wife of 66 years, on November 3, 1957. Together, they had two children, John and Catrina. They moved around the world while Jerry was in service.
After retiring from the military, Jerry took advantage of the New School program at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. Jerry graduated with his Liberal Studies degree in 1984, with an emphasis in religious studies.
Jerry was a retired local pastor for the United Methodist Church, having served several charges, including the historic Northside United Methodist Church in Georgetown. He volunteered as a substitute chaplain at Georgetown Hospital and as a mentor for many young people at St. John’s United Methodist Church and at Leander UMC over the years, even going on a mission trip with the kids.
He was the founding volunteer of the Helping Hand Tutoring Program at St. John’s, a free reading and math tutoring program for any elementary student needing help with their schoolwork. This program was later absorbed by the Georgetown Bridges to Growth organization.
Jerry was a lifelong learner and an avid reader. One of his favorite authors was Henri Nouwen.
“We cannot commit ourselves to work for justice and love in tomorrow’s society if we cannot discover the seeds of it in the relationships we engage ourselves in today." Henri Nouwen “Creative Ministry”
Jerry had many interests, including photography, birding, flyfishing and simply observing the nature around him. He loved encouraging youth and volunteering at church. As long as his health allowed, he was up for any project. He enjoyed riding on his tractor around their property much more than he enjoyed working on that same tractor.
The joys in his life came from his marriage, his children, friendships, and his relationship with the Lord. But the greatest joys brought to him were through his relationships with his family. His joy was only increased through the birth of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jerry’s favorite scripture was Micah 8:3.
"He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" (NSRV)
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his infant sister Virginia, in-laws Henry Conway and Carolyn Martin, and nephew Lawnie L. Hyatt.
He is survived by his wife LaVerne; daughter Catrina; son John and his wife Deborah; grandchildren Jonathan and his wife Barbara, Philip and Lola; and great-grandchildren Joaquin, Maggie and Lulu; siblings Harold Martin and Dorothy Ruth Conway, brother-in-law Leroy Hyatt and his wife Patricia; and four nephews and two nieces, and by many friends.
A military interment will be held June 18, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Disabled American Veterans (https://www.dav.org) or to the charity of your choice.
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