Jerry Bare

Born May 3, 1940, in Bluefield, West Virginia, Jerry was the son of the late Earl Jesse Bare and Mabel Evon Wyrick Bare. Jerry spent most of his youth in Jefferson, North Carolina, growing up on his family’s multi-generational livestock and tobacco farm. He graduate from Ashe Central High School in 1958 and dutifully joined the U.S. Navy. Jerry served on the USS Forrestal overseas and at home from 1958 to 1962, earning multiple certificates in engineering training. After his naval service, he earned a degree in engineering from Gaston Technical Institute. He worked 29 years with AT&T and retired at age 49. During his first few years of working for the telephone company Jerry met the love of his life, Miss Mickey Matilda Neely. They were married in Charlotte on August 7, 1961. Mickey and Jerry enjoyed many years of new business adventures and travel after their retirement. One of Jerry’s greatest enjoyments was fishing and they eventually moved to Oak Island. Jerry served as a devoted deacon and member of Oak Island Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He loved boating, traveling out west, daily walks, reading and being with his grandchildren. Jerry leaves behind a large group of cherished friends on Oak Island as well as his former community of Lake Norman.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 52 years, Mickey Neely Bare; two daughters, Lisa Renee Bare and husband Dr. Hal N. Buch of Rhinebeck, New York, and Katherine Leigh Branan and husband B.J. of Conway, Arkansas; his twin sister Joyce Dawn Bare Current; his brother Phillip Grant Bare and wife Debra; sister and brother-in-law Harry and Linda Sparrow, sister-in-law Ann Cambell Neely; five grandchildren, Cooper Buch, Jacob Buch, Charlotte Buch, Audrey Branan and William Branan, four loved nephews and four nieces; and his K-9 companion and fishing buddy Zach.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 18, at Oak Island Evangelical Presbyterian Church with Reverend Dr. Walter Taylor officiating.

The family will have visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 17 at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral Home in Southport.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oak Island Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1503 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, NC 28465; or to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, www.hospiceandlifecarecenter.org.

Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.

Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service.