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Established 1948    Jerry Wayne Day 17 May 1937 - 30 November 2015 Master Sergeant US Air Force  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 Pottsboro - Jerry W. Davis, finished his race Monday, November 30, 2015 at his home. Funeral services celebrating the life of Jerry W. Davis with military honors were held Wednesday afternoon, December 2, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Pottsboro, Texas with Rev. Josh Burton officiating. Interment followed at Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman, Texas. Jerry was born May 17, 1937 in Pattonville, Texas, the 7th of 8 children born to Herman and Della Russell Day. He attended East Lamar High School before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force on May 21, 1954. Almost everyone who has ever spoken with Jerry knows the story that while stationed at Peffin AFB he met his wife, the former Mary Westman on March 15, 1964, and they had their first date on May 27, 1964. They were married in Durant, Oklahoma almost 51 years ago on January 9, 1965. He never tired of telling this story. Together they had one son, Gary, as well as two sons from a previous marriage, Eddy and Jerry. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren and delighted in their accomplishments. His career of 20 years and 10 days in the Air Force took him to Chanute AFB, Illinois; Webb AFB, Texas; Johnson AB, Japan; Perrin AFB; Texas; Misawa AB, Japan; Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; and Sheppard AFB, Texas, where he retired on May 31, 1974 with the rank of Master Sergeant. WHile at Canute, he earned his GED and later graduated with honors from Grayson College with an Associate of Applied Science degree. At the beginning of his career, he was enrolled in the Air Force Electrical Repair School. He received a special promotion for being an Honor Graduate of the Electrical Course. At the age of 20, he was the youngest Airman in the Eletrical Field to be promoted to the NCO rank. During his service career, he received numerous awards for his technical designs. His highest award was the Air Force Chief of Staff Safety Award for designing and building a Fire Warning and Overheat Tester for the F-4 Phantom Aircraft. This tester was adopted for use Air Force wide, and is currently on display in the Perrin AFB Historical Museum in Denison/Sherman. During this same period, he was selected for the Pacific Air Force Honor Roll for Specialty Job Knowledge and was given recognition by McDonnell-Douglas, the F-4 manufacturer. After passing the supervisor test, Sgt. Day was awarded the 9-Skill Level, the highest level in the Electrical field. After Jerry's retirement from the Air Force, he and his family returned to Pottsboro where he owned and operated Day's Electronics for 34 years. He still remembered all of his customers and details about the work he did for them. He was always passionate about anything he undertook, whether it was his job, his 6 years on the Pottsboro ISD school board, local school sports where he was instrumental in getting the girls softball team installed, scholarships, the farm at Gunter, or the volunteer work at the Perrin AFB Museum. He installed numerous flag poles at cemeteries, schools, and organizations to encourage patriotism. He was widely recognized in the community by young and old alike, always wearing his Perrin cap and handing out invitations. In May, he was honored as the Texoma Hero for both his military service and service to the community. Jerry was also an active member of Pottsboro First Baptist Church. Serving as pallbearers were Eddie Frye, Ricky Hogan, Bo Hoedebeck, Darrell Reed, Mark Owens, Leroy Dorley, Tom Bowen, and Mike Waldrum. Honorary pallbear was Floriberto Lara. Jerry is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Gary and wife, Kimberly, of Bells; Eddy Mercer and wife, Cara, of Red Oak; grandchildren: Dalton Day of Chicago; Drex Day of Pottsboro; Jerry Wayne Day, III and wife, Ashley, of Paris; Michael Mercer of Red Oak; and Eddy Lee Mercer and wife, Tracy, of Kaufman; 2 brothers, Hammond Day and wife, Betty, of Parker; and Calvin Day of Pattonville. He is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; the mother of his oldest grandson, Charity Lena; and his dear friend, Leah Renfro. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jerry Jr. and; sister, Ruth; brothers, J.W., Bob, James, and Hoover. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in Jerry's name to the First Baptist Church in Pottsboro or the Perrin AFB Museum in Denison.  Cedarlawn Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |