Jerald Randolph Debenport Jr.

Services for Jerald R. Debenport, Jr., 97, of Tyler will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 11:00 am at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Dr. Pike Wisner and Larry Wickham officiating. Burial will follow at Tyler Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Debenport passed away April 19, 2025, in Tyler. He was born January 10, 1928 in Tyler to Jerald R. Debenport, Sr. and Maurine Teller Debenport. Jerald graduated from Tyler High School in 1945 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as a Seaman First Class. After his service, he continued his education beginning at Tyler Jr. College, Texas A&M University, The University of Texas, and finally landing at East Texas State Teachers’ College. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 1953. Jerald worked in different capacities during his life. He worked as a salesman for Nash Motor Company, IBM, Combined Underwriters, Self-Employed/Tiny Tent Co., and Tyler Jr. College. As a 4th generation Debenport of First Baptist Church-Tyler, Jerald accepted the Lord at age 12 and followed in baptism. While being part of the FBC family, Jerald taught Sunday School for 60+ years from elementary age to Senior adults. He went on countless trips with youth groups, choir groups, and mission trips in Mexico and throughout Texas. He helped build facilities and dorms for various churches. For his own church, he was quick to volunteer to build sets and scenes for programs and holidays. Jerald was ordained as a Deacon in February 1959, the youngest to be ordained at that time. Jerald Debenport volunteered for and was a member of the Bethesda Clinic, Salvation Army, Tyler Kiwanis Club, and Experimental Aircraft Association. He was elected to the Tyler City Commissioners from 1968-1970, with six months of that time as acting mayor. Jerald married Martha Sue Allsopp August 12, 1950. They had two sons, Cliff and Don. After Martha passed away in October of 2010, Jerald found love and companionship again and married Sue Edwards in March 2014. Sue passed away in July 2024. Others that preceded him in death were parents: Jerald and Maurine Debenport, sister-Corrine Wells, and brothers-John Debenport, Fred Debenport, and Frank Debenport, and son-Cliff Debenport. He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Don and Maggi Debenport of Chandler; granddaughters-Sara Suggs (Matt) of Chandler and Amber Reynolds (Jeff) Texarkana, TX; great-grandchildren-Eric Suggs, Emma Suggs, and Anna Kate Reynolds; sisters-in-law-Janie Debenport (Arlington) and Sandra Debenport (Texarkana, TX); several nieces, nephews, and even more friends. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Matt Suggs, Eric Suggs, Jeff Reynolds, Dan Debenport, Tony Debenport, Steve Debenport, Russ Debenport, Richard England, Scott Sturrock, Bob Couch, Steve Davis, Bruce Burnham, Donald Dudley, Brad Roberts, Les Berryman, Robert Watson, Lloyd Lumpkins, Larry Lumpkins, and Bryan Penny. Visitation is scheduled from 10-11:00 am on Monday, May 5 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. If desired, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701(https://hospiceofeasttexas.org) or The Salvation Army, 633 N. Broadway Ave., Tyler, TX 75702 (https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/Tyler).

Jerald Randolph Debenport Jr.

January 10, 1928 - April 19, 2025