Jerry Lane

Zerkel

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Jerry Lane Zerkel

Oct 06 1934 - Mar 03 2019

Jerry Lane Zerkel of McKinney, Texas passed away March 3, 2019 at the age of 84.  He was born on October 6, 1934 to Oliver Kenneth Zerkel and Sara Marie (Burdg) Zerkel in Linn Grove, Indiana.  Jerry attended LeTourneau Technical Institute in Longview, Texas.  He married Mary Sue Dunford on August 1, 1954 in Longview. Jerry’s entire career was devoted to aeronautics. His expertise in the operation and mechanics of an airplane was respected throughout the industry worldwide. Jerry was a certified pilot of Combi aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration. At the time of his retirement, he was Vice­President of Technical Services for Air Transport International.  He enjoyed fishing, wood working, mechanics and building model airplanes. 

Jerry was a member of First United Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Mary Sue Zerkel of McKinney, Texas; daughters, Terri Smith of Dallas, Texas and Stephanie Zerkel-Humbert, Fairway, Kansas; sons-in-law, James Smith of Dallas, Texas and Arne Humbert of Fairway, Kansas; granddaughter, Lauren Smith Essl of Seattle, Washington; grandson-in-law, Travis Essl of Seattle, Washington; granddaughter; Emily Zerkel of Houston, Texas; grandson, Ethan Zerkel of Houston, Texas; brothers, James M. Zerkel of Joplin, Missouri and Ron Zerkel of Fort Myers, Florida; sisters-in-law, Sharon Zerkel of Fort Myers, Florida and Joyce Meeks Zerkel of Anchorage, Alaska; and several nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Sara Zerkel; brother, Gene Zerkel; and sisters, Kate Zerkel Sauers and Sherryl Zerkel Martin; and his son, James Kenneth Zerkel.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00p.m., Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Turrentine-Jackson­ Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. Interment will be held at a later date in Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Friday evening from 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials

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