Jerry Ray Park

Jerry Ray Park, 78, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend joined our Lord on the evening of June 25, 2023. Jerry passed peacefully with his wife, Sara, by his side. Jerry was known by all as an intelligent, thoughtful, creative and a funny man who loved to tease and make people laugh.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Monday, July 3rd at Wise Funeral Home in Bonham, Texas, followed by a reception in his honor. Jerry will later be laid to rest at Willow Wild Cemetery in Bonham.

On July 14, 1944, Jerry was born in Bonham, Texas to parents Walter and Rosalee Park, and grandparents Robert and Mary Park and Benjamin and Geneva Victory, all of Bonham. Ten years later, he became a big brother to Dennis Park, also of Bonham. Jerry graduated from Bonham High School where he was an Eagle Scout, sang in a foursome called the "Four J's" and played cornet in the high school band, including playing TAPS at the funeral service for Sam Rayburn, the United States Speaker of the House, which was attended by four US Presidents. Jerry graduated from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M Commerce) where he met his wife, Sara. Jerry and Sara were married at the White Rock Methodist Church in Dallas on May 28, 1966. Jerry and Sara were married for 57 wonderful years. Following college, Jerry attended Naval Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and proudly served his country. Sara completed her studies at ET before joining him in Rhode Island. After the military, Jerry did additional graduate studies at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Northwestern University in Chicago, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and University of Texas, Dallas. Jerry went on to have a successful career in the pharmaceutical business. He worked for AH Robins Pharmaceutical Corporation, Mallinckrodt Diagnostics in St. Louis, Missouri, and Amersham Medi Physics Radio-Pharmaceuticals and Nuclear Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. He held various management positions in each of those companies including the position of National Sales Director at both Mallinckrodt and Amersham. After retirement, Jerry and Sara built their dream home overlooking Lake Texoma where, until January of this year, they lived 21 years. Jerry spent his retirement years watching sunsets, wildlife, painting and working in the yard. He also enjoyed volunteering and served in the Pottsboro community in many different ways including the Pottsboro Chamber of Commerce, Shattered Dreams Program, Pottsboro Lions Club, Visions of Sugar Plums, and even volunteered as a substitute teacher at the Pottsboro High School. In addition to many years of service, Jerry served on the Board of Directors for the Pottsboro Chamber, the Boot Scootin' Ball and the Hagerman Wildlife Reserve. Prior to Jerry's declining health, they were active members at Georgetown Baptist Church in Pottsboro. Jerry and Sara had a very loving and close relationship with their two daughters, Paige and Ashley. They created a lifetime of beautiful memories camping, boating, raising horses, and traveling to many places across the United States and multiple countries around the world. One of the last and most memorable vacations involved taking the entire family on a Caribbean Cruise for their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2016.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his best little buddy, Baby Kitty.

He is survived by his wife, Sara Park: brother, Dennis Park: daughter Paige and her husband Cannon Green: daughter Ashley and her husband Dr. Jeff Lamont: grandchildren, Avery Green, Chase Green, Claudia Lamont and Allison Lamont: several nephews, cousins, additional family members and friends.

The family would like to thank everyone reading this for years of love, support, kindness and friendship. Jerry was a very special man to us all.