Jerry was the fifth blessed child of Ernest and Ardella Griffin and was born in Marshall, Texas on November 30, 1956. Jerry spent his childhood days enjoying small town adventures and getting into boyish mischief. He would never stay on the porch as Mama instructed, as he was a wanderer by nature and everybody in the neighborhood knew his name. When Jerry was 7, the family moved to South Dallas eventually relocating the South Oak Cliff. This is where Jerry made lifelong friends in school and in the neighborhood. He loved to swim and spend many summer days splashing and sunning himself at the Big L. pool.
During his life, Jerry encountered challenges with addiction. He worked to overcome the challenges and through it all, he remained kind, positive and upbeat. Jerry was hopeful and faithful that the Lord would provide a shield of protection around him.
Jerry moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas and built a life there. He married Shari Rush in January of 2004. Jerry became a loving father to her two daughters, Alyssia and Kallyiah. He found great joy in his children and was an attentive caring Dad. He was a doting Pawpaw to his granddaughters, Courtney and Chloee.
Jerry was employed by Insultech Inc. for 15 years. He worked as a Mechanical Insulator, installing insulation and HVAC at schools, hospitals, and federal facilities. He managed numerous projects and served as a team lead. Jerry returned to Dallas in 2021 and used his gift of gab to sell cars at Clay Cooley. He also worked as an auto parts courier and was in the process of setting up his own courier business.
Jerry was an amazing brother who took good care of his many sisters. If you needed something fixed, he was your go to guy. He might grumble under his breath, but he got he done. He was also a peacemaker. When the siblings were going back and forth, he would step in to calm the waters.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Ardella; sisters, Carolyn, Barbara and Anna. He is survived by his former wife, Shari; daughters, Alyssia Hodges (Cortez), and Kallyiah Rush McCree (Haven); brother, Ernest; sisters, Debra, Patricia Knight (LaVelle), Shelia Griffin Gordon, Alice, and Denise, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and many lifelong friends. We will miss his kind loving spirit, love of fun and his joyous laughter.
