On November 20, our father, Jerry Kersey passed away. Born on August 4, 1947, to Leotha and Charles Kersey, he was a lifelong resident of Jonesboro. Dad was a devoted husband to his wife and our mother, “Ms. Edna.” Mom and Dad met while cruising Nettleton Ave. the night before Thanksgiving in 1968 and were married the day after Christmas that same year. Dad could always be found with Mom - whether they were shopping at Wal-Mart or picking up a hamburger or pizza (Mom’s favorites!) They lived a beautiful life together from the day they met until her passing in May of 2022.

Dad was also a caring father. He made sure we felt safe, secure, and free to be who we were. He supported us even when we made poor decisions and tried to instill in us that there are two sides to every coin. He lived by simple rules that he taught us. He believed in working hard. He taught by example to treat others with kindness, respect, and fairness. Our home was always open to anyone in need of a place to stay - whether for a night, a week, or a month or two. Family and friends would often join us for a cookout, a ball game or even Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner on a whim. It wasn’t unusual for a friend or acquaintance to stop by around supper time and join us for fried potatoes, pork chops, cornbread and pinto beans. There was always a seat at our table for someone who needed or wanted friendship.

Dad loved to laugh and he loved for the people with him to laugh. Some of our best memories are watching Saturday Night Live with him and laughing at characters and skits by Chris Farley, Molly Shannon, Chevy Chase, Tina Fey, Kenan Thompson and others. It wasn't just a one time memory, it was an event we replayed over and over. We joked about his favorite channel being the Hallmark channel or Oxygen - Mom's go to favorites! We laughed at politics and sports and life. Even in the toughest of times, a sense of humor was always important to our dad.

Jerry, also called “Top”, was most proud of his service in the Arkansas Army National Guard. For over 42 years he served with the 875th Engineer Battalion, from Panama - where they built schools to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina - where they helped rebuild a city. Dad believed in what he was doing and also in the soldiers he served alongside. For Dad, the National Guard was more than the mission – it was the people. One of the best moments with my (Jarrod) father was when we went to Washington, D.C., representing the Arkansas National Guard and placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Dad loved history, camping, National Parks, and the “real” mountains (which he described as mountains you can see but have to drive half a day to reach). He loved to travel and some of our most memorable adventures included a road trip to Yellowstone National Park in the early ‘80s and a European Vacation that included a week in Rome in the mid-2000s.

Finally, Jerry was a Christian. He believed in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Dad believed in grace and love. He did not interpret the Bible as a rule book of do’s and don’ts, but instead as a guide for patience, peace and forgiveness. He truly understood that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Jerry joins his parents, his wife, Edna, and son, Jeremy, in Heaven. He is survived by his son, Jarrod (Amber) Kersey; daughter, Autumn (Greg) Thetford; grandchildren: Adria (Tanner) Pettigrew, Olivia Kersey, Joni Kersey, Clayton (Ashley) Kersey, Sara Thetford, Maggie Thetford, Libby Thetford; and great-grandchildren: Kennedy, Emmett, Charlotte, and Colton. Jerry enjoyed his later years in Tucson, Arizona with his sister-in-law, Oleta Cummins, beloved dog, Lucy, and extended family.