Jerry Alston

Dennis Jerome “Jerry” Alston, 77, of Pasadena, Texas, passed away on September 22, 2026, leaving behind a family who adored him, a lifetime of memories, and more than a few stories that will be told for years to come.

Jerry was born on July 26, 1949, to Ray and Joanne Alston. He spent his career in sales, which was probably exactly where a man like Jerry belonged. He never met a stranger, could strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and was a smooth talker who always seemed to know what to say.

Jerry knew how to have a good time—and in his younger years, he made dang sure he did. He worked hard, played hard, and enjoyed being wherever the people and the fun were. For many years, he served as a committee member with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Pasadena Rodeo. He was also part of cook-off teams, creating friendships, stories, and undoubtedly a few memories that may be better left untold.

Jerry was approaching an extraordinary milestone—nearly 18 years as a liver transplant survivor. Those additional years gave him time he might otherwise never have had: more years with Patty, more football games and NASCAR races, more mornings with his newspaper, more evenings watching Wheel of Fortune, more books and cigars in his garage “office,” and, most importantly, more time with the people he loved. They were years his family will forever be grateful to have had with him.

Jerry shared 42 years of marriage with his wife, Patricia “Patty” Alston. Their life together was made up not only of the big moments, but also the little routines that become some of the sweetest memories—like sharing an ice-cream sandwich together every day.

Jerry was the father of five children: Caroline Covington and her husband, Darren Zielinski; Jeannette VonderEmbse, who preceded him in death; Jeannie Nelson and her husband, Lee; Jason Alston; and Jessica Wise and her husband, Travis.

Jerry was a girl dad through and through. With daughters making up the majority of his crew, he knew a thing or two about being surrounded by strong women. So when his only son, Jason, was born, Jerry was so excited that he ran through the halls of the hospital yelling, “It’s a boy!” He loved his children fiercely, told them he loved them often, and made sure they knew exactly how much they meant to him.

Somehow, with four daughters and one son, the next generation swung heavily in the other direction. Jerry became Pops to six grandsons and one granddaughter: Ethan and Kyle VonderEmbse, Zane Nelson, Kalub Alston, Savannah Raak, Lincoln Raak, and the newest member of the family, Behr Wise.

Being Pops was a role Jerry loved.

He and his grandson Zane shared a special love of sports. Jerry loved watching Zane play football, and over the years the two shared experiences that became treasured memories—including seeing the Texas Longhorns, NASCAR, the Houston Texans, and ONLY because he loved Zane - the Texas A&M Aggies.

Savannah, 6, and Lincoln, 5, spent countless hours with their Pops and Mimi. Their childhood memories will forever include trips together, playing with Pops and Mimi, and those wonderfully ordinary adventures that become extraordinary once someone is gone—including trips just to go get a snow cone.

Baby Behr joined the family only one week before Jerry passed away. Heartbreakingly, Pops never had the chance to meet his newest grandson. But Behr will grow up knowing his Pops through the stories, photographs, traditions, and memories his family will make sure are passed down to him.

Jerry is also survived by his sisters, Patricia Sabo and her husband, Mike; Cindy Instone, his nephews, Michael and Chris Sabo; Billy Instone, and his niece, Sarah Miller; as well as several great nieces and nephews, extended family members and many friends who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Joanne Alston; his daughter, Jeannette VonderEmbse; and his brother, Bubba Alston. While those left behind are heartbroken, his family is pretty certain that Jerry, Jeannette, and Bubba are together again—and that there is one hell of a party happening in Heaven.

Jerry was a man of routines, opinions, and personality.

His mornings started with the Houston Chronicle and Fox News, and his evenings ended with Wheel of Fortune. He was a die-hard Republican and an enthusiastic supporter of President Donald Trump, and anyone who knew Jerry knew he wasn’t the least bit shy about sharing his political opinions. Somewhere in between the news and Wheel of Fortune there was usually a book, a conversation, something to complain about, and, if it was a good day—which most of them were—a cigar.

He loved University of Texas Longhorn football, NASCAR, ZZ Top, reading, his cigars, and sitting in what everyone knew as his “office”—the rocking chair in the garage.

From that rocking chair, Jerry could read a book, smoke a cigar, watch the world go by, visit with anyone who happened to stop by, and offer his thoughts about whatever might be wrong with the world that particular day.

And Jerry loved to complain.

The funny thing was, he was also one of the happiest people you could ever meet.

Anyone who knew Jerry also knew that the man had style. He liked to be dressed to the nines, his hair was always fixed just right, and he took pride in looking good.

But beneath the smooth talk, good clothes, perfectly fixed hair, strong opinions, and occasional—or perhaps frequent—complaining was a man who loved his family fiercely.

He told you he loved you.

Often.

And that may be one of the greatest gifts Jerry leaves behind. The people he loved never had to wonder whether they were loved.

His family will miss his stories, his smooth talking, his impeccable appearance, the sound of the television, his rocking chair in the garage, his cigar smoke, his opinions—whether requested or not—his complaining, his laughter, and most of all, hearing him say, “I love you.”

Jerry’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Grand View Funeral Home in Pasadena, Texas. A meal and time of fellowship will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Methodist Hospital Liver Transplant Department.

Jerry was deeply loved, and he made dang sure we knew we were loved, too.

And that is a pretty wonderful legacy to leave behind.