Jerry Comer

Jerry Thomas Comer was born on November 23, 1942 at home in Itawamba County, Mississippi to his proud parents, Thomas Starks and Nellie Florence (Cole) Comer.  He grew up in Mississippi and eventually the family moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin.

On night in Corinth, Mississippi he met a girl at a dance and went home and told his mother, “I’m going to marry that girl.”  Sure enough, on July 28, 1962 he married Shirley Janette Stidham.

Shortly after marriage, Jerry was drafted into the US Army where he claims he was a chemical engineer because he turned perfectly edible food into garbage.  The Army (who called him a Mess Hall Sargent) stationed him at Fort Sheridan, Illinois and he and Shirley decided to live there at the time of his discharge.   They lived there on Southland Avenue in Highland Park for 51 years and he worked as a general contractor and home inspector.

His passions were “creating memories” with his family. (Boating, motor home trips around the Great Lakes, snowmobiling, and fun outings)  He loved helping refugees from Cambodia and Ethiopia and considered them his family.  He was also very active supporting missionaries that served all over the world and who often stay with the Comers while on leave from the mission field.  The house was also always full of Africans who came to the local theological seminary for school.  There is even a school in Chad named Ecole’ Comer to honor Jerry and Shirley’s commitment to the missionary work in Africa.  He also served on the Board of World Relief in Chicago and faithfully distributed food weekly to local churches to share with the needy.

Jerry and Shirley moved to Temple, Texas in December 2020 to live with their daughter, Stephanie.  It was a blessing that his last days were spent with his family here in Texas.  Many laughs and precious memories were made to carry forward with them now after his passing on October 26, 2021.

His siblings were: David, Jenny, Bill, and Rick.  His children: Stephanie (Tom) and Tony (Chelsea).  His grandchildren: Sarah (Cory), Hannah (Ricky), Caleb, and Chase.  His great-grandchildren: Levi, Aurelia, Elivia, and Finley.