Jerry Don Tarlton

LEXINGTON - Jerry Tarlton of Lexington, SC died after a short illness on April 19, 2012. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Lexington Baptist Church with burial immediately following in Woodridge Memorial Park, Lexington, SC. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 20, 2012 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.

Born in Great Falls, SC, on November 26, 1933, he was the son of the late Betty Kathleen and Luther Earl “Luke” Tarlton. Mr. Tarlton was a graduate of Great Falls High School, Spartanburg Junior College and the University of South Carolina. He played baseball in high school and college as well as in the Textile League. He served in the United States Navy on the ship U.S.S. Clarence K. Bronson.

Mr. Tarlton was an insurance adjustor and claims manager, first with Crawford and Company then retiring after 33 years with South Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance Company. Mr. Tarlton was active for many years in Lexington County Recreation League Athletics. He served as the Board President for Dixie Youth baseball and coached baseball and football. He was an active member of Lexington Baptist Church for 40 years, serving as a deacon, Church Treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent and Usher. He volunteered in the church kitchen and served on the Building and Grounds Committee. He enjoyed serving on local, national and international mission teams, usually building or renovating homes and churches.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patsy Snipes Tarlton, of Lexington; son, Gregg Tarlton and his wife, Nancy, of Lexington; daughter, Kathy Tarlton Truluck and her husband, Stan, of Chapin; the lights of his life, grandchildren, Luke Truluck, Josie Tarlton and Claire Tarlton; brothers, Ronnie Tarlton (Janice) of Warner Robbins, GA, Ned Tarlton (Linda) of Lexington, Richard Tarlton (Mary Sue) of China Grove, NC; sister, Ellen Tarlton Lee (James) of West Columbia; and numerous nieces and nephews, including his special buddy, nephew Jeff “Jeffro” Tarlton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lexington Baptist Church, 308 E. Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072.