Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC (FCR Photo)
Dr. Jerry Lee Irons passed away peacefully on December 20, 2022, after a year-long battle with cancer.
Jerry was born in Quinlan, Texas, on June 14, 1936, to W. Cleo and Albertine Irons. Both of Jerry’s parents were educators. After attending Quitman High School and graduating from Lockney High School, he followed in their footsteps by majoring in education at East Texas State Teachers College. It was in Commerce that Jerry met the love of his life, Mary Jane Tucker. After a 2-year courtship, they married in 1956 and shared 66 wonderful years.
After graduating, Jerry moved to Mesquite, TX, where during his 20’s, he was Principal at Hanby Elementary and McWhorter Elementary. While in Mesquite, Jerry became the father of three sons, Bill, Tom & Scott. Jerry served in the Army National Guard and was called up during the Cuban Missile Crisis. When Jerry wasn’t teaching or helping his boys, he spent his spare time continuing his education, ultimately earning his Ph.D. in Education from ETSU. Jerry landed a job as a professor at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, where he taught for 30 years. Jerry dove into his work and community but spent most of his time being the best husband and father that he could be.
Jerry spent countless hours coaching sports teams for the boys, sitting at the dinner table helping his boys conquer algebra, and driving the family to visit grandparents almost every weekend. Jerry and Mary were blessed to share adventures with lifelong friends Jack & Gipsy Smith. From travels to Mexico and England to attending the annual Texas/OU game at the Cotton Bowl for over 60 straight years, the couples were inseparable.
In 1997, Jerry retired from SFA and moved to Dallas, where he joined The University of Dallas, faculty. He taught there for 15 years before retiring for good in 2012. Jerry’s impact on the world will be felt for decades through his children and grandchildren, as well as the thousands of teachers who learned the wonders of the abacus and the rule of 72’s under Jerry’s guidance. His retirement years were spent raising cattle, volunteering, and being the roadie for The Singing Sisters, Mary’s singing group with her sisters Peg Wooten and Carol Howard. Jerry’s faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation for his life. He was an avid Bible reader and even took seminary courses in his 80s. He lived out his favorite verse, Micah 6:8: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV)
Jerry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Irons; son Bill and wife, Patti of Katy, TX; son Tom and wife, Debbie of Dallas, TX; son Scott and wife, Amy of Argyle, TX; Grandchildren: Drew Irons and wife Christine, Hope Bernardi and husband Gio, Lauren Bier and husband Felipe, Haley Ryan and husband Patrick, Sarah Irons, Ben Irons and Audrey Mesler, and Josh Irons; and 4 Great-Grandchildren.
Services will be on January 13, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Ellis Chapel at Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75225. Inurnment with Military Honors will be at 1:30 at Restland Memorial Cemetery.
