Jerry C. Eatherly passed away March 19, 2023 in McKinney, Texas at the age of 88. Jerry C. Tilghman was born on April 13, 1934, grew up in South San Francisco, CA. He lived with his mother, Helen Georgia Dempsey and her parents, Lewis Marvin Dempsey and Shirley Bell Minor. In 1944, Helen married Joe Lloyd Eatherly. Later that same year, Joe adopted Jerry at age 10; Jerry changed his name to Eatherly at that time.
Jerry graduated South San Francisco High School in 1951. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952. During his service in the Air Force, he had 17 duty assignments including crew chief on the flight line and maintenance analyst. For a few assignments, he deployed to Kimpo, Korea; Izmir, Turkey; Pham Rang, Vietnam; Uta Pao, Thailand; and Karat, Thailand during the Vietnam Conflict.
Jerry served as an instructor at the NCOAF Academy in San Bernardino, California for four years. In 1980, following 27 years in the Air Force, he retired as a Chief Master Sergeant (E-9), with an honorable discharge, at Barksdale AFB, LA. He received many service awards, medals, and ribbons-some multiple times-during his Air Force career.
He later went to work for other government contractors including BDM and Mitech. Jerry would go on to retire about five more times; he loved the work. He enjoyed working with his hands and building things from scratch. He loved a challenge.
An avid learner, Jerry received an associate of arts degree (San Bernardino Valley College), a bachelor’s in business management (University of Albuquerque), and a masters in aviation management (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University).
Following years of friendship, he married Dana Lane White on September 10, 1994, at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, Springfield, Virginia. They spent 28 loving years together having agreed to being the love of each other’s lives.
He is survived by his wife, Dana Lane Eatherly of McKinney, Texas; son, Brian Eatherly and Lynn Hatley of Minden, Nevada; son, Steve Eatherly and wife, Hoi of San Diego, California; son, Eric Eatherly of Alcova, Wyoming; daughter, Natalie Flemens of Falls Church, Virginia; niece, Laura Steele of Gold Hill, Oregon; eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He is also survived by Dana’s siblings, Tim and Tammie White of Saltillo, Texas; Lana McEnturff of Como, Texas; Debra Pfister of Sulphur Springs, Texas; and Jim White of Sulphur Springs, Texas; and all their children. His dear friends included Wayne and Debbie Wilson of McKinney, Texas; David and Caro Medeghini of Gardnerville, Nevada; and Paula Ashley of Murphy, Texas.
Jerry was preceded in death by grandparents, Lewis Marvin Dempsey and Shirley Bell Minor; parents, Joe Eatherly and Helen Dempsey Eatherly; and half-brothers, Frank Harold Steele, Jr., and Lewis Marvin Steele.
Jerry loved music—mostly country—dancing, reading, puzzles and Lego, movies about flying—Top Gun was a top favorite with at least 50 viewings! Besides being known as Jerry, his nicknames included: the Bear, Grumpy, and EMan.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Jerry’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/jerry-c-eatherly.