Jerry Wylie

Jerry Edward "Papoo" Wylie age 74 lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at his home with his wife and four children by his side. Graveside services will be 10:00 am Monday, June 6, 2011 at Oakwood Cemetery with Jeff Anz officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 7 pm, Sunday, June 5, 2011 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held 11:00 am, Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Victory Life Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas.

He fought a courageous battle for nearly 3 years living on faith and turning it over to God to direct the path that this journey would take. Jerry was the first of 3 children born to Marvin Edward Wylie and Florene Bonds Wylie in Petersburg, Texas on December 4th, 1936. He attended Petersburg Schools until his family moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1949. He attended Lubbock High School at that time and at the age of 16 he was completely farming on his own. He and Sharon Suzanne Sims were married in Lubbock, Texas at Highland Baptist Church on August 24th, 1957. He and Sharon moved to Idalou, Texas after their first son Tim was born where Jerry worked with his dad (Mr. Ed) at Wylie Oil Company traveling the roads of Texas for 25 years where they raised their family of two boys and two girls in the Idalou School System. In 1981, Jerry moved his family to Abilene to engage in the oilfield boom. It was a good move and he formed many companies off of the initial company known as Wylie Drilling Inc. and he operated many cafe’s and gas station’s as well as the Merkel Truck Stop for ten years until moving back to Lubbock and Idalou to farm, build homes and sell real estate primarily of land/farms.

Jerry semi-retired and was dealing in some real estate and a farm at Idalou when his health began to deteriorate. He was diagnosed with cancer in June of 2008. Subsequently, in 2010 he and his wife were able to move closer to their kids and their families in Waco,Texas. Jerry faced his battle with cancer head on and he became a model for family and friends on how to live when the going gets tough. He was the patriarch of his family and he leaves a wonderful legacy of working hard to achieve goals, never giving up and always remember to exercise, stay in shape and read your bible daily. He was a walking enthusiast and he pushed himself even after being diagnosed in 2008 with cancer to log nearly 1,700 miles until his death. His grandchildren were his life. They could make him smile just by walking in the room and a hug and kiss would make his day.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon of almost 54 years and their two sons Tim Wylie of Waco/Houston, Tracy Wylie and friend Lori Grothaus of Abilene, two daughters Tamara and Scott Mokry of Pleasanton,Texas and Tuesday and John Embry of Waco. Six grandsons Braden, Brant and Brooks Embry of Waco, Boone and Crockett Mokry of Pleasanton, Sterling Wylie of Austin, and two granddaughters Jade Wylie of Austin and Alex Wylie of Oklahoma. One sister Rita Madden and spouse Robert of Lubbock, one brother Don Wylie of Colorado and a one-half brother Eddy Wylie of Mullin, Texas and also from an early and brief marriage he has a son, Jerry of Amarillo and a daughter Janis Geurin of Oklahoma and two grandsons and two great granddaughters. He is also survived by three aunts Lonelle Davis of North Carolina, Mildred Wylie of Lubbock and Glenna Wylie of Lubbock. Other survivors include many brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends from Petersburg, Idalou, Lubbock, Abilene and Waco, Texas. Jerry loved his family, his friends and his Lord. He and Sharon had an unbelievable peace about where this journey would take them. They praised God each day for the chance to grow and love God for whatever He sent their way. Together they grew more spiritual and learned to live and rely on this scripture from the bible 2nd Corinthians 4: 16-18. He will be sorely missed by everyone. The man with the big smile.

Papoo’s six grandsons will be pallbearers in honor of their hero. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

Visitation

5 - 7PM ,Sunday, June 5, 2011
Grace Gardens Funeral Home
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712

Graveside Service

10AM ,Monday, June 6, 2011
Oakwood Cemetery
2124 S. 5th Waco, Tx 76706

Memorial Service

11AM ,Thursday, June 9, 2011
Victory LIfe Baptist Church
12401 County Road 1900 Lubbock, TX 79424