Jerry Don Stinson

Jerry Don Stinson, 76, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 29, 2023. Left to treasure his memory are his wife of 57 years Jo Carol of Tyler, his son Andy (Christine) of Tyler, and his daughter Leigh Anne Mahone (Matt) of Southlake; his beloved grandchildren, McCade Stinson, Dylan Stinson, Levi Stinson, Maylee Mahone, Ella Mahone, Hadley Mahone, and Wiley Mahone; brother Larry Stinson (Linda) and sisters Pam (Patrick) Silverwise and Joan (Monty) Wright; and many nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his father Talmadge Edward Stinson and his mother Oneta Elizabeth Wingfield Stinson. Jerry was born in Durant, Oklahoma, on August 25, 1947. Several years later he and his family moved to Denison, Texas. Jerry had many adventures and tales (some tall) of his adolescent days with his brother Larry……sometimes not letting the truth ruin a good story. He graduated from Denison High in 1965. In 1966 he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life Jo Carol Collins. Jerry earned a football scholarship to Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he earned his bachelor's and master’s degrees. Jerry coached for many years before he became a high school principal and then superintendent. He had a gift for working with young people, seeing their full potential, and holding them to high expectations while being their biggest fan along the way always cheering them on. He believed in education and dedicated his life’s work to the cause. Jerry was devoted to every church of which he was a member, serving as a deacon and wherever there was a need. Jerry had the special talent of making the ordinary extraordinary, whether it be a swim in the lake, a ride on a four wheeler, cooking a good steak, or drinking a cold coke. He also was an avid hunter who was always scouting for deer on King Mountain or wherever he was. Jerry’s steadfast faith, love for his family, adventurous spirit, and gift of seeing the best in others will forever be remembered by all whose lives he touched. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on in all who knew and loved him. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church in Flint with Rev. Wayne Norwell officiating. If desired, memorials may be made to the Parkinson Voice Project (www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org) at 646 N. Coit Rd. #2250, Richardson, TX 75080 or Alzheimer's Alliance of Smith County (www.alzalliance.org) at 3531 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701.

Jerry Don Stinson

August 25, 1947 - November 29, 2023