After graduating high school in Greenwood, SC, Jerry served in the U.S. Army in Army Intelligence. After leaving the military, Jerry joined the City of Miami Police Department and became a K9 Officer. His interest in security led him to open Dual Security Systems offering complete security from Alarm Systems to Armed Guards with trained K9s. His international clients purchasing trained K9s included Nicaraguan President Somoza. Jerry eventually left South Florida and settled in Orlando where he became a Commercial General Contractor and founded Steel Systems & Roofs, Inc. specializing in metal buildings. Never one to sit still, Jerry purchased and expanded a Storage Facility in Marion County. He also opened Pak-N-Send, an authorized shipper for UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS. After retiring, Jerry and Ginger moved to Zellwood Station and immediately became active in their new community. Jerry was President of the Zellwood Station Red Caps. He was always available for anyone that needed him.
The most important part of Jerry’s life was his family and friends. He deeply loved his family! A perfect day was anything that involved spending time with his sons, daughter, grandchildren and great-grands. From middle school through high school, he was a fixture at grandson Jackson Harbin’s volleyball games. He especially enjoyed making South Carolina Hash on an open flame with his sons Trace & James. A day at the the gun range with Trace and James or a day spent Zip Lining with daughter Angie, he was game! And his little buddy TJ, what can anyone say? The love they had for each other was heartwarming. TJ loved to go for long walks or golf cart rides with his daddy. Jerry owned many dogs throughout his life and they were always well trained and well behaved. TJ was different. He had a deep, soulful bond with Jerry. How do you explain to a four-legged little boy that his dad won’t be coming home? Jerry always wanted to shoot his age in golf and recently accomplished that dream. He has great golfing buddies, Rich, Gary, Warren, Joe and Jeff. As much time as they spent cutting up and laughing, its amazing they ever finished a game. Thursday nights he could be found at Bar Bingo in The Whistle Stop. Saturday nights he was always at Trivia. On Sundays he attended Devotional Services in Zellwood Station. Jerry was very active physically and mentally and believed in living life to the fullest.