Jerry R. Minor

A giving man with a big heart has left us, but he made our world a better place through his 80 years on earth. Jerry Minor left this earth and joined his heavenly father on March 16, 2017. His parents and four brothers - Denny, Gene, Allen, and Eldon - preceded him in death, but two sisters - Evelo and Shirley -survive Jerry.

Born in Harmony, IL in 1936 to loving parents Phil and Lily (Tate), Jerry left the family farm and his 6 brothers and sisters and made his way across the world before settling in Niceville, FL. After high school, Jerry joined the United States Air Force and became a precision electrician, a fitting career choice for a man who could fix just about anything. In 1955 he met and later married the love of his life, Judith Ann “Judy” Troillett. Jerry and Judy would have celebrated 60 years together this summer.  Their love produced three children: Frankie, Ricky & Connie (Jinks), as well as six grandchildren they adored and who adored their Grandpa/Papa: Katy, Erin, Allison, Kyle (Quirion), Heather, Abby (Jinks), along with step-grandchildren Annie & Ashley (Jinks) and Kahlil (Roth-Folly), Kim (Johnson) and Markie (Whitt) - all of whom survive him and will miss Jerry greatly. Beyond his family, Jerry’s loves included nice cars, good scotch, cigars, and most importantly his dogs – particularly Rommel, Dixie and Rusty. His relationship with them was something to be admired and envied.

Jerry’s career took him from Illinois, to Ohio, England, and Iceland, but he made his home in Niceville, Florida, where he lived for the past 48 years.  He was a loyal Mason for almost 50 years, including serving as Worshipful Master of Okaloosa Lodge #312, as well as an active member in Scottish and York Rites, and Hadji Shiners’.  Later in life, he found another outlet for his love: service and fellowship in the Generations United Church of Niceville. True to his roots and his career, Jerry loved being outdoors, growing things in his beautiful gardens, shopping at yard sales and fixing things in his highly organized sheds.  His children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors relied on him for endless repairs, his delicious homegrown tomatoes and lemons, or whenever they were in need. Jerry will be remembered for his giving nature, willingness to service and aid others, his bright blue eyes, and his warm smile.

Services - including military and Masonic honors - will be held at Generations United Church, 108 Highway 85 in Niceville on Saturday, March 18 beginning with visitation at 12:30pm followed by funeral services at 1:30pm. Interment will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Jerry’s name to the Shiners’ Hospital for Children - http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/donate.

 Service Information