Jerrod Allen Herron 1941-2025

He was born June 28, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to Cyrus Wade and Alice Claire Herron.

During his youth, his family relocated to Deerfield, where he attended Southeast High School, played basketball and earned his diploma.

Jerrold lived a life marked by grace, humility and unwavering devotion to God and others. Jerry, endearingly known as “Big Jer,” carried a spirit of service from an early age, dedicating himself to his family, his community, and above all, his faith.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, and after completing his military service, he pursued training as an electrician. That calling eventually led him to move his family from Ohio to Mississippi in 1982, when he accepted a position at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson. In what would become a providential turn, the move also led him to Bradley’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he faithfully served as pastor for more than 15 years.

Remarkably, throughout his ministry at Bradley’s Chapel, Jerry also worked full time as an instrumentation and control instructor at Grand Gulf. He faithfully balanced both roles — spiritual shepherd and technical instructor — with grace, humility and unwavering devotion to God and others.

Long before his formal ministry began, God was already shaping Jerry’s heart for pastoral work. While living in Ohio, he completed lay speaker training to prepare for leading a congregation. And from the very beginning, his journey was strengthened by his beloved wife of 60 years, Mary Lee Herron, who once told him she wouldn’t marry him unless he started going to church. The two were married in 1964 and built a life rooted in faith and filled with love, laughter and purpose.

Years later, Jerry and Mary Lee returned to Ohio to care for her aging mother. During that season, he continued his ministry, eventually serving as pastor of Masury United Methodist Church for seven years, once again guiding others with compassion and steadfast faith.

Jerry’s kindness was matched only by his playful, quirky spirit. Always with a grin on his face, he’d respond to the question, “How are you?” with his trademark, “Big, fat, dumb and HAPPY!” He was a good man in every sense — quick to think of others, slow to complain and steadfast in his love for his family. He and Mary Lee opened their hearts and home as foster parents, treating every child they welcomed as their own.

Jerry was known to be a true connoisseur of oversized recliners. He loved fishing trips with his grandchildren, cheering (and groaning) through Ohio State football games and traveling to Canada. Though his sports commentary was famously “glass half empty,” his heart was full, especially when it came to his family.

Jerry had a flair for the unexpected, from writing and publishing a science fiction novel, “The Breastplate,” to holding full conversations in his sleep, often beginning with “All right, let’s go.” He was an avid non-wearer (and frequent loser) of his hearing aids, and a champion of buffet and smorgasbord strategy and selection. Jerry was a stickler for punctuality, always the first in the carpool line picking up his grandchildren and never hesitated to respond to Mary Lee with a loving (yet resigned) “Yes, dear.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cyrus Wade and Alice Claire Mangun Herron; and his beloved Yorkie, Tweety Bird.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Mary Lee Herron; his sons, Jeffrey Wade (Aleita) Herron, Christopher Leroy (Amber) Herron and Joseph Collelo; grandchildren, Roni Nicole Herron, Michael Jeffrey Herron, Shepherd Christopher Herron and Anne Bradley Herron; his faithful pup, Shilo; and numerous nieces and nephews who adored him.

Though a swift onset of illness affected his final weeks, Jerry never stopped loving his family. His presence, his humor and his unwavering faith leave behind a profound, unmatched legacy.

A memorial service will be held Friday, April 18, 2025, at Bradley’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 13815 Oak Ridge Road, Vicksburg, MS 39183, where visitation will take place at 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m.

For those in Ohio, a celebration of life service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2025, his birthday, at Pricetown Global Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Pricetown Global Methodist Church, 4640 Pritchard Ohltown Road, Newton Falls, OH 44444; or Bradley’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 13815 Oak Ridge Road, Vicksburg, MS 39183.

May we all strive to live with the same kindness, humor and heart that Jerry shared so freely.

(special notice)