Gerald “Jerry” Dee Pelfrey Sr.

Jerry had a big impact on my life. Twenty-two years ago, I visited FBT for the first time. The Holy Spirit moved on my heart and mind to rededicate my life to Christ that morning. Jerry prayed with and for me that day during the invitation. I can remember telling him that I wanted to be a godly husband and father, and with tears in his eyes he prayed for me. I will never forget the impact this faithful man had on me that day.

Dr. T.J. Francis, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dover, Florida

To one of the best men that I had the privilege to know. I always enjoyed being around you. You are such a caring and giving person. You always made me laugh! I wish we could have got in one more round of golf. You are a great role model and a Great friend! I will miss you!
Love,
Greg (Gregie) Burklo
P.S. Give everybody a big hug for me.

Jerry was always smiling and making jokes! Stacy remembers him fondly as one of his favorite Sunday School teachers. What precious memories he has made on our lives. Praying for the family.
Love,
Stacy & Melissa Pyle

Seldom does anyone meet or have the pleasure of getting to know anyone with the love and good nature of Jerry Pelfrey. As a new Christian, he befriended me and helped me to understand this new life I had chosen. He was a solid rock of the faith and was a welcome role model to so many. I always enjoyed “finding” Jerry and Dee when singing because their reaction always helped me sing with meaning the words of the songs. While I will miss him dearly, I’m glad to know he no longer has to reach up to God but can now wrap his arms around his savior and feel the pure joy of his saviors arms wrapped around him saying “well done though good and faithful servant!” Until we see each other again…..

I sat at my college graduation ceremony years ago, and the keynote speaker made a comment that I’ll never forget. In her remarks, she noted that she kept a framed picture of a turtle on top of a fencepost to remind her that no one is entirely self-made. The turtle, she explained, could not possibly climb atop the fencepost without direct assistance. As young men are ushered from adolescence into manhood by those who come before them, they are proverbially helped to the top of the fencepost. Jerry, I am immeasurably blessed that you were one of those men who came before me. Your faith was resolute, your love was boundless, and your character was irreproachable. You were a prodigious man among men. I will miss your wry smile, your contagious laughter, and your good-hearted acts of kindness. The world will not be the same without you in it. Your legacy lives on in your family and the lives of so many, like mine, that you touched. Thank you, Jerry – thank you for choosing to shepherd me into the man I am today. You have left an irreplaceable void in our hearts here on Earth, but I know that we will meet again someday.

With love,

Josh Raney (The Rock)

It’s not easy turning the pages of your life. Going to Heaven is a journey we wait for our whole lives! I can only IMAGINE as the song goes the look on your face, Jerry, when you entered glory. Will I dance for you, Jesus, or in awe of you be still? I’m betting you are DANCING with everything in you with tears streaming down with that magnetic smile of yours. Cheers to a life well lived. Jerry, you did it! You managed to live an exemplary life and bless all those around you at the same time. My life with you in it was so much, richer, sweeter, and humorous! Your witty replies could evoke a smile from the biggest Debby Downer. The greatest thing about you was how much you loved Jesus and told others about Him. You lived out your faith with your generosity and loving spirit. I’m most grateful for the impact you had on my boys as the perfect role model. Jerry, I will miss you deeply. I’ve been reflecting on how I can be more like you. Until we meet again, my friend. All my gratitude and love!❤️

Glenda Raney

Mr. Pelfrey, Papaw, GPaw,

I knew you in that order.

My first memories are of you singing on Sunday night at FBT in that pale blue suit. As little kids, Josh (the Rock) and I giggled about how you seemed to get choked up with a full heart of emotion every time. Just as I am choked up now writing this.

At that time, to me you were Mr. Jerry Pelfrey, in the pantheon of elders at church, I saw you far off as an immortal, unwavering lighthouse. Doing right and setting the path for us. I didn’t know our paths were destined to draw much closer.

As I grew I met my love, Dawn, your adopted granddaughter. You were her Papaw. She, among so many others, love and look up to you so much. “Papaw can do anything,” she says.

How many Tuesday nights did we spend sharing a meal and playing cards? I lost count. The truth is I came just to hang out with you and Mamaw.

Sometimes you’d be upstairs rehearsing a new song for next Sunday. I’d hear your deep voice bellowing through, then I’d hear it taper off momentarily with emotion and shakily work its way back. By then I knew exactly what was going on. What a testimony to your love for the Lord.

You sat in the front rows at my wedding. You danced sweetly with Mamaw at the reception. You prayed for our meal that evening. Why? “Papaw can do anything.” You became my Papaw as well. A few weeks later I watched in your living room as your face glistened with tears watching the wedding video we brought over. You loved your family in full view, and also those you invited into your family. Your emotions were never hard to gauge.

You taught me so many things:

How to wire an outlet.
How to frame a basement for remodel.
How to properly yell at the refs during a UK game.
How to talk trash just before someone’s putt on the golf course.
How to laugh at yourself.
How to do good, because it’s the right thing to do.
How a man can be stubbornly dedicated to doing right, and still love compassionately without boundary.

And so much more. Most of the things you taught me, you never even knew you did, I was just quietly watching you. I’ll wager I’m not alone there.

You then held my newborn babies as GPaw. Your hands were rough and worn from remodeling projects, and you sweetly and gently cradled their heads with a smile and look of fresh wonderment. I’ll never forget that, and the lesson learned … men can be tough and sensitive at the same time.

You beat me in golf more often than not. There, I said it, haha. I can picture you grinning about that.

Your smile! What a smile. Your telltale grin that you were up to something. Your face when we were laughing so hard we couldn’t talk. Your broad full smile when you would tell me of the latest things the family was up to, and just how proud you were. All etched in my memory.

I can’t believe you’re gone. It doesn’t seem real, or fair. You never think great men can pass away, they should walk the earth forever. We will feel lost without you, but will do well to remember everything you have taught us. You have taken a piece of our hearts with you, but you have given back so much more in return.

My last memory of you is you hugging me goodbye and telling me “I love you, and I’m proud of you.”

I love you too, and I will miss you terribly. When I think of you often, I will walk taller, love stronger, be steadier. I may be broken now, but I take it as my solemn responsibility to pass on all manner of things that you have taught me with a full heart.

Until we meet again,
Adam

Jerry was a great friend and mentor to me. Jerry and Dee all treated us as one of the family. I will miss his sense of humor and laugh. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren and all the accomplishments they had done and was always willing to share their victories. I have several things around my house (as I’m sure many do) of the projects Jerry built for us or helped me with – these are great treasures now when I look at them. I have fond memories of softball and golf outings together as well as praying with him for friends, loved ones and each other. Thanks Jerry, I look forward to seeing you again in our Heavenly Home.
Paul Raney