Gerald “Jerry” Venable

Gerald Fenton "Jerry" Venable, 89, of Jackson, passed away, Monday, March 13, 2017 at the Jackson Manor Nursing Home in Jackson.

He was born November 26, 1927 son of Fenton Lum and Lucile Margaret Medley Venable in the home of Francis "Frank" Newton and Emaline "Lina" Shorter Medley in Jackson.

He and Susan Jane LaPierre were married May 30, 1952 at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois.

Jerry was a 1946 graduate of Jackson High School and enjoyed reminding folks that he performed on the clarinet in the high school concert band since the age of 12 under the tutelage of director LeRoy Mason. After graduation from high school he attended Southeast Missouri Teachers College in Cape Girardeau. As a senior in high school he drove a school bus for Immaculate Conception Catholic School, then later worked for the Jackson Hosiery Mill, LaPierre-Sawyer Handle Factory, was a salesman for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, was the transportation supervisor for the Jackson R-2 School District, and retired from Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Southeast Missouri, August 3, 1991. Following retirement he worked part-time as a merchandiser for Proctor and Gamble.

Jerry was a charter member and was elected the first president of the Jackson Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1958. He took pride in the fact that the Jackson Chapter received state and national awards for "Outstanding New Chapter" while also being awarded Most Outstanding Junior Chamber of Commerce in Missouri. The organization renamed the Jackson Jaycees, selected him Outstanding Young man of the Year in 1961. The following year he received the Outstanding National Director for Missouri, representing the Jackson Jaycees.

Jerry was a charter member of the National Guard in Jackson, Missouri; Company E, 140th Infantry Missouri National Guard 35th Infantry Division. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant.

When the Jackson Optimist Clubs started programs of Little League Baseball, boys basketball, and flag football, he was one of the early coaches for all three programs.

Jerry was also a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson, Knights of Columbus #6405, and the Jackson Elks Club.

Survivors include his loving wife Susan of 64 years; their five children, Daryl Fenton Venable of Indianapolis, In; Eric Guild (Martha) Venable of Jackson; Stuart Wayne (Bobbie) Venable of Springfield, Mo; Linda Susan (Stephen VanAmburg) Venable, of Jackson; Steven Mark (Cheryl) Venable, Marietta, GA; six grandchildren, Marisa Denise (Chris) Meyer, Jessica Sue (Darin) Teague, Isaac Guild (Amber) Venable, Jeb Stuart (Laura) Venable, Major Sherman Fenton Venable, and Nathan Christian Venable; three great grandchildren, Tucker Wayne Teague, Carter Raymond Teague, and Scout Avabelle Venable.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Friday, March 17th, from 4-8pm at the McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson with parish prayer service at 7pm.

A funeral mass will be Saturday, March 18th, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson with father John Harth officiating.

Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.