He graduated from Chapel Hill High School in Tyler with the class of 1958. Tommy enlisted in the United States Navy in April of 1959 serving until July of 1966, attaining the rank of Electrician’s Mate 1st Class. While in the Navy, he was in nuclear missile firing submarine crews. He was so proud.
Tommy later attended Tyler Junior College where he received his associate’s degree.
He was united in marriage to Ann Kenney on March 9, 1963. They shared 63 years of marriage together.
He was a member of the New Harmony Baptist Church in Tyler.
Tommy worked as an electrician, manager and trainer for Goodyear Tire for 33 years. Following his retirement, he took over the family business from his dad, Jerger’s Lamp House.
Tommy loved fishing, hunting, and golfing. He enjoyed tinkering and fixing anything, but he was not always the best about finishing his projects. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He never missed any of their sporting events. Tommy never knew a stranger and lovingly became known to those who knew and loved him as Paw-Paw.
He is survived by his wife, Ann Jerger; children, Chris (Dawn) Jerger, Mark (Dana) Jerger, and Laurie (Bobby) Jones; grandchildren, Cody Jerger, Cory (Sarah) Jerger, Samantha (Jared) Eshelman, Will (Cherish) Jones, Nick (Elizabeth) Jones, and Reece Jones; two great-granddaughters, Nova Jerger and Susie Jones; and niece, Marcie Parker.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jerry Wayne Jerger and Ronald Elmo Jerger; and granddaughter, Alexandra Arnold.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m., Thursday, July 16, 2026 at the Tyler Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, with funeral services to follow at 3 p.m. Graveside services will follow in Tyler Memorial Cemetery with military honors.
