JERALD DAVID DEERE
DECEMBER 20, 1938 - JULY 1, 2010Jerald David Deere, 71, of Lake Jackson, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday, July 1, 2010, at his residence.
Jerry Deere was born in Dallas, Texas in 1938 and moved with his family to Lake Jackson in the early 1940's when his father, A.T. Deere, was hired by Dow Chemical to head security during World War II. Jerry used to say, "I wasn't born here, but I got here as fast as I could." He attended Brazosport area schools, including "the original" Lake Jackson Intermediate and graduated from Brazosport High School in 1956. Jerry attended The University of Houston where he was President of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He attended Baylor University as well. However, after his kidney transplant, he was an honorary Aggie. Jerry followed in his father's footsteps with law enforcement by becoming a Houston Police Officer which he did for many years. He then took over the family business of running the Credit Bureaus and Retail Merchants Associations of Brazoria County. He continued his career in finance and business by serving as Vice President of First Freeport National Bank, running the Consumer Credit Counseling Services for Brazoria County and many other financial business in the Brazosport Area. Jerry's true passion was serving the community and interacting with people through politics. He was able to fulfill a lifelong dream when he was elected Brazoria County District Clerk in 1995, a position he held until recently.
Jerry was a community leader as well who held many titles within Brazoria County, the City of Lake Jackson and at the state level. Some of these included Lake Jackson Traffic Commissioner, President of the Brazoria County Fair, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Board Member for the Girl Scouts San Jacinto Council, Democratic Party Chairman for Brazoria County, Republican Party Chairman for Brazoria County, Chairman of the Brazoria County Air Show as well as many others. He was also appointed by then governor, George Bush to the board for the Texas Commission of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Jerry was also active in the Rotary Club of Lake Jackson, Brazosport Chamber of Commerce and served loyally in many community affairs countywide. He was recognized for his many efforts which included being instrumental in bringing the airport to Brazoria County, erecting the Rodeo Arena at the Brazoria County Fairgrounds, spear heading the effort to create artificial reefs for the Gulf Coast shoreline and many more. Jerry was ultimately rewarded for his many outstanding contributions to the community by receiving the Brazosport Chamber of Commerce's Man of the Year, a distinction he was able to share with his father.
Jerry was an avid outdoors man. He loved to fish, even if he didn't catch a thing. He loved to hunt as well, spending time on his property in Kerrville. Jerry had a smile and joke for everyone he met and he never knew a stranger. He was a man of great faith and along with his beloved wife, Debra-Jean, a proud member of First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson. He instilled his faith and servitude in his children who now pass this virtue on to their children, ensuring his legacy will live on.
He is survived by his wife, Debra-Jean Deere; daughters, Jennifer Morgan and husband, Jason, Rachel Birdwell and husband, Benjamin and Ashlyn Deere; step-son, David Barber; grandchildren, Zachary Harvey, Sebastian Morgan, Hannah Barber, Joseph Ramirez, Madison Barber, Riley Townsend and the pending birth of Jerald David Deere Ramirez; in-loves, Homer and Loraine Slayton; sister-in-love, Sharon Adams and an abundance of loving relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Dr. Joy Deere.
Memorial funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at First Baptist Church in Lake Jackson.
Memorial online condolences may be sent to www.stroudfuneralhome.com
Send Condolence Message To The Family