Jerry Stokes McWhorter

Jerry Stokes McWhorter was born on June 4, 1933, in Jacksonville, Texas. He passed on August 30, 2024, in the comfort of his own home in Sandy, Utah. His loving wife, Laura, was by his side.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Laura, four sons (Keith, Jeff, Mark, and Lance), and three stepchildren (Chris, Sandy, and David). He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Clark. He will be missed by several grandchildren (Ryan, Travis, Brady, Mark Evan, Holly, Carmen, Adrian, Samantha, and Justin), step grandchildren (Cody, Coltin, Devin, and Kartr) several great grandchildren (Jacob, Lucas, Jedediah, Levi, Eden, Noah, Heidi, and Hollis), and nieces and nephews.

Growing up, Jerry lived in East Texas in Livingston, Lufkin, and Athens. He had a “Tom Sawyer” childhood playing in the piney East Texas woods and had many a great adventure playing with two other great friends whose names also started with a “J” - and so they called themselves “the three Js.” 

The best way to describe Jerry can be summed up with four words – family, food, sports, and conversation. He loved playing sports in his youth (football, basketball, running track, and baseball). He graduated from Athens High School in 1950 and then from Baylor University in 1954, with a degree in History and Religion. After college graduation, he served in the Army as a Chaplain’s Assistant and then started a job in the steel industry. He spent 67 years working in that field. Even though he served in managerial positions, his professional passion was being in “sales,” because he loved people. The last few decades of his career he was able to do just that – sell steel. Jerry loved working in the steel industry. 

He staunchly supported his wife in her professional career and often shared his perspectives with her students by serving as a clinical case example. Jerry never met a stranger. He was a natural conversationalist who had the “gift of gab.” 

As an adult he spent much of his time on golf courses in Texas and Utah. He once even made a hole-in- one on a par 4!! Jerry was a great fan of the Utah Jazz, the Utah Utes football team, and major golf stars. He regularly followed all these teams and sports events on television. Although he loved the Dallas Cowboys in his early years and attended many games in person, he evolved into appreciating several other football teams and enjoyed many hours of watching professional football games on television. He could spout off sporting stats on the spot!

Jerry had a passion for food and was a true foodie - he often talked about the delicious Southern food his mother prepared when he was a boy. Growing up, his nickname was “Cookie Jerry.” A good friend once said, “I gain weight just hearing Jerry talk about food.” He was famous for preparing Texas brisket.

Another of Jerry’s past times was reading the Bible and many other daily readings based on Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Sarah Young, and the Dynamic Catholic. He loved sharing these readings with Laura, his wife and soul mate. His love of Bible hymns was yet another source of great joy for him. He enjoyed “googling” some of the songs that he sang in church as a boy and then listening and “singing along.”

He once said that after he passes, he hopes to one day see all his family and friends again and is so looking forward to meeting our Creator. 

Jerry, we will greatly miss your humor and your hopeful heart and look forward to being with you again someday. 

Jerry’s favorite Bible verse was from Matthew 6:33 and reads in the following way:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The funeral service is being held on Sunday, September 8 at 4:00 pm at Memorial Lake Hills Mortuary in Sandy, Utah. Details are below. It will also be streamed.   click here to join the service or log into Zoom.  

Zoom Information: 

Meeting ID: 219 615 9931  

Passcode: 8520