Jerry was born in Marietta, but he spent his youth traveling between Marietta, Ga, Waynesville, NC, and Lakeland, FL. In his teen years he worked as a curb hop at Johnny Reb's Chick-Chuck-'N'-Shake (now the Big Chicken), a Bond Bread delivery truck assistant, and an insurance salesman. He was a member of the McEachern High School class of 1963. He enjoyed being a member of the Sports Car Club of America where he rallied his 1957 MGA convertible. In 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Massey, and began working at Firestone Tire Company as a salesman. In 1967 Jerry was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War and served as a surgical technician until his honorable discharge in 1969.

Upon reentering civilian life he rejoined Firestone where he began to make his mark in the metro Atlanta tire industry. Jerry transitioned to the Goodyear Tire & Rubber brand and expanded his business to include six retail tire stores in the metro Atlanta area. He was an active member and past president of the Metro Atlanta Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association. During the 1990's, his Cobb Center Tire retail location became a partner-in-education with Birney Elementary school, allowing Jerry to help give back to his community.

Over time he pared down his retail operation and semi-retired while working in AutoZone's commercial department. He officially retired in 2012 after serving the metro Atlanta automotive repair market for almost five decades. Jerry & Sylvia traveled extensively over the years throughout the United States and visiting Europe, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Mexico. He was an avid reader all his life and in his spare time he enjoyed deep sea fishing, auto racing, coin collecting, and spoiling his grandchildren.

Jerry is survived by his wife Sylvia, his two sons Brandon & Brian, daughter-in-laws Beth & Amy, and three grandchildren Ian, Avery & Elisha.