JY, My Brother you were a class act and the heart and soul of the class of 85. You will be missed dearly and I look forward to seeing that huge smile again someday soon.
Big J you were what made high school so much fun I only knew from the tenth grade on but the way you were made me feel like I had known you all my life. It id with a very heavy heart that I say goodbye to you my old friend. Your laugh and your smile could brighten up any room no matter where you went. I don't know enough words to tell you or your family how much you willl be missed. I hope to see you again someday but for now save me a place in heaven. Your friend Lonnie.
JY! 54! Rock it every chance you get! Jerry I did not really get to know you that well in high school and that was my loss. I treasure these last 3 years however as I have come to know you. I will miss you my brother. All of us will. You will live on in the hearts of the class of 85. The greatest class ever to graduate from Burke County. Thanks so much for all you did for us as classmates through the years. Love you brother.
I was sitting in bed Sunday morning flipping through the channels and saw the end of the Wizard of Oz. The wizard said to the Tin Man something to the effect of, "A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others." Neil called me last night and told me that you had left us and those words came straight to me. If the words of that wizard are true then you had one of the largest hearts of anyone I have ever known. You always thought of others first. I am a better person having known you and will miss you. I love you brother and will see you again. 54 my friend.
Amen to that Mike. Jerry was, is, and will forever be loved by us all. My heart is broken. RIP big fella. I know you will be there to greet me on the other side. 54 RIECYG!!!
MY HEART IS HEAVY TODAY, KNOWING THAT I HAVE LOST A VERY CLOSE FRIEND ...I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE ARE ANY WORDS TO EXPRESS HOW MUCH JERRY WAS LOVED...CRAZY, SILLY, AND FULL OF HIMSELF MOST OF THE TIME. ALWAYS WORRYING ABOUT OTHERS, EVEN WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WORRYING ABOUT HIMSELF. MY SWEET FRIEND , YOU WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH...
Jerry, Just leaving this message about you, reminds me that without you, we could not even do this. Your heart was so big and giving, and you always put others first. I loved your quick wit and will never forget that sweet smile and laugh. Always eager to please everyone around you and never asking for anything in return. Trusting to a fault, but what is life for, if you do not live it with no fear. You will always be my friend, forever and always. I will love and miss you deeply!
As I reflect tonight on my happy memories of East Burke, I am so thankful to Jerry and Neal for creating this site to help us all remember and reconnect. It seems so unfair that two core members of the small reunion planning group are no longer with us. Jerry, you have left a precious legacy for us in this site, and in how you lived your life for others, and I will forever treasure your friendship. Although I can't be in NC for the funeral, I'm sending a big hug to all my classmates and friends. It won't be the same without Jerry's huge smile to greet us when we gather.
Jerry's love and legacy live on through this website. He was so very passionate about all of us, the Class of 1985. Unfortunately, Jerry's health did not allow him to continue adding content to the website. He was passionate about the Memorial Scholarship fund.
This coming spring marks the fifth anniversary of our East Burke Class of '85 Memorial Scholarship Award. Please consider giving to this fund in loving memory and in honor of Jerry and the 17 other classmates who went on before him. I'm sure there is one great class of 1985 Reunion going on in Heaven today.
You can donate to the Scholarship fund by clicking on the Reunion/Scholarship link to the left of the page and scrolling to the bottom to make your selection.
Darrell Glazebrooks
JY, My Brother you were a class act and the heart and soul of the class of 85. You will be missed dearly and I look forward to seeing that huge smile again someday soon.
Lonnie Arthur
Big J you were what made high school so much fun I only knew from the tenth grade on but the way you were made me feel like I had known you all my life. It id with a very heavy heart that I say goodbye to you my old friend. Your laugh and your smile could brighten up any room no matter where you went. I don't know enough words to tell you or your family how much you willl be missed. I hope to see you again someday but for now save me a place in heaven. Your friend Lonnie.
Mike Andrews
JY! 54! Rock it every chance you get! Jerry I did not really get to know you that well in high school and that was my loss. I treasure these last 3 years however as I have come to know you. I will miss you my brother. All of us will. You will live on in the hearts of the class of 85. The greatest class ever to graduate from Burke County. Thanks so much for all you did for us as classmates through the years. Love you brother.
Michael Schulenburg
I was sitting in bed Sunday morning flipping through the channels and saw the end of the Wizard of Oz. The wizard said to the Tin Man something to the effect of, "A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others." Neil called me last night and told me that you had left us and those words came straight to me. If the words of that wizard are true then you had one of the largest hearts of anyone I have ever known. You always thought of others first. I am a better person having known you and will miss you. I love you brother and will see you again. 54 my friend.
John Doe
Amen to that Mike. Jerry was, is, and will forever be loved by us all. My heart is broken. RIP big fella. I know you will be there to greet me on the other side. 54 RIECYG!!!
Anita Clay (Church)
MY HEART IS HEAVY TODAY, KNOWING THAT I HAVE LOST A VERY CLOSE FRIEND ...I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE ARE ANY WORDS TO EXPRESS HOW MUCH JERRY WAS LOVED...CRAZY, SILLY, AND FULL OF HIMSELF MOST OF THE TIME. ALWAYS WORRYING ABOUT OTHERS, EVEN WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WORRYING ABOUT HIMSELF. MY SWEET FRIEND , YOU WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH...
Karen Lowman (Hennessee)
Jerry, Just leaving this message about you, reminds me that without you, we could not even do this. Your heart was so big and giving, and you always put others first. I loved your quick wit and will never forget that sweet smile and laugh. Always eager to please everyone around you and never asking for anything in return. Trusting to a fault, but what is life for, if you do not live it with no fear. You will always be my friend, forever and always. I will love and miss you deeply!
April Abernethy (Tucker)
As I reflect tonight on my happy memories of East Burke, I am so thankful to Jerry and Neal for creating this site to help us all remember and reconnect. It seems so unfair that two core members of the small reunion planning group are no longer with us. Jerry, you have left a precious legacy for us in this site, and in how you lived your life for others, and I will forever treasure your friendship. Although I can't be in NC for the funeral, I'm sending a big hug to all my classmates and friends. It won't be the same without Jerry's huge smile to greet us when we gather.
John Doe
Jerry's love and legacy live on through this website. He was so very passionate about all of us, the Class of 1985. Unfortunately, Jerry's health did not allow him to continue adding content to the website. He was passionate about the Memorial Scholarship fund.
This coming spring marks the fifth anniversary of our East Burke Class of '85 Memorial Scholarship Award. Please consider giving to this fund in loving memory and in honor of Jerry and the 17 other classmates who went on before him. I'm sure there is one great class of 1985 Reunion going on in Heaven today.
You can donate to the Scholarship fund by clicking on the Reunion/Scholarship link to the left of the page and scrolling to the bottom to make your selection.
RIP old friend. Until we meet again.
Neal