Jerry Frank Gladden

Jerry Gladden, 82, passed from this life on May 3, 2015. He was born July 9, 1932 to Bevie Eugene Gladden and Alva Maree Edwards Gladden in Lawn, Texas. He was an army veteran of the Korean conflict; receiving a Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, UN Service medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He served in Korea the same time as his brother, Joe Gladden. He was one of twelve children borne to his parents.

Jerry was in the cotton gin business for many years and knew the cotton gin inside and out. He worked hard and teased hard. He was noisy, nosey, busy and boisterous. He loved his family and helped every way possible. He was loved by his nieces and nephews, his brothers and sisters, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We will all miss him terribly.

Pappy was what his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren called him. Up early in the morning, he expected all of the family to be up as well. He taught many of the grandchildren to water ski. He loved to play golf and give the little kids rides on the golf cart. He shot snakes in the water if they threatened his kids and fed his kids ice cream for breakfast if they wanted it.

He mowed for his neighbors, helped them with plumbing, cars or boat issues. If he saw something to be done, he did it and never told them. He did not seek his own glory in that regard. He loved work!

Preceding him in death are his parents, Bevie Eugene Gladden and Alva Maree; first wife, LaVona McNeely Gladden; his second wife, Mary Jo Hamilton Cunningham Gladden; brothers, C. E. Gladden, Oscar Ray Gladden, R. J. Gladden, Arvel Gladden, and Joe Gladden; sisters, Helen Wilder, Sylvia Boyd, Fay Gladden; and stepdaughter, Deborah Lampe.

Jerry is survived by three sisters, Vada Carlile, Mary Lue Baker, Kay Patterson; children; grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces; nephews and many close friends he considered family.