Gerald A. Saracini passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was 86 years old. Jerry was a devoted husband, loving father, generous grandfather, and proud great-grandfather. He accepted life's successes and challenges with unwavering gratitude and faith.
Jerry was born on July 27, 1936, in Poplar Bluff, MO. He was the only son of Tony and Freda Saracini. He started his parochial education at Sacred Heart Schools in Poplar Bluff. He attended Chaminade Preparatory School in St. Louis, MO. Jerry graduated from Poplar Bluff High School and attended the University of Missouri where he was a loyal member of Xi Xi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Jerry received his BSBA in Business Administration from Arkansas State University. Jerry won life's lottery when he met and married, Sondra "Sandy" Schwab, setting out on a 60-year long life journey.
Jerry began his business career with Anheuser-Busch, Inc. in 1964. With Sandy's full support, they purchased C&C Distributor, Inc., an Anheuser-Busch wholesale distributor in Newport. Jerry and Sandy spent the majority of their lives in Newport, where Jerry successfully led C&C as C.E.O. For a decade, C&C consistently placed within the Bronze/Silver levels of AB and in 2022, AB congratulated Jerry for 50-years of partnership as an exclusive AB wholesaler. In 1988, Jerry served as Chairman of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Arkansas. Additionally, Jerry spearheaded numerous community projects including pioneering aluminum recycling and underwriting calling cards for veterans. Jerry had served in the USAF Reserve. Jerry was also invested in the community at large, serving as President of the Rotary Club. He was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.
During the 1980s, Jerry spent countless hours recruiting new businesses to Arkansas by serving on the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and as Chairman of the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Commission. Jerry served on several bank boards, including Merchants & Planters Holding Company and Greers Ferry Lake State Bank. He also served as President of Newport County Club. Jerry was likewise devoted to his faith community. While in Newport, Jerry was an active parishioner of St. Cecilia Catholic Church participating as a lector and serving on the parish council and as a business assistant for the Church. He was integral to St. Cecilia building a new church in 1994. Jerry also served on the Board of Directors of Ava Maria University in Naples. FL. After moving to Jonesboro, Jerry became a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Jerry and Sandy also loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit numerous countries, including Jerry's ancestral home of Italy. One of the highlights of Jerry's life was shaking the hand of Pope John Paul II.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Sandy, three children: Susan Smith and her husband, David, of Jonesboro, Shari Saracini Ballard and her husband, Bob Sim, of Charlotte, NC, and Stephanie Truitt and her husband, Hal, of Memphis, TN; seven grandchildren: Dr. Cassie Greenbaum and her husband, Ryan, of Albuquerque, NM, Sandy Cloninger and her husband, Adam, of England, AR, Jay Smith of Jonesboro, Jerry Smith of Jonesboro, Jack Ballard of Charlotte, NC, Jon Ballard of Charlotte, NC, Lillie Smith of Dallas, TX, Cooper Smith of Jonesboro; and three great-grandchildren: Adrienne Greenbaum, Smith Cloninger and Archie Cloninger.
There will be a Rosary Service on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, beginning at 6:30 pm at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Jonesboro followed by a visitation from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Funeral Mass to celebrate Jerry's life will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Monsignor Scott Friend officiating on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Jonesboro. Arrangements were entrusted to Gregg- Langford Bookout Funeral Home.
Jerry was born on July 27, 1936, in Poplar Bluff, MO. He was the only son of Tony and Freda Saracini. He started his parochial education at Sacred Heart Schools in Poplar Bluff. He attended Chaminade Preparatory School in St. Louis, MO. Jerry graduated from Poplar Bluff High School and attended the University of Missouri where he was a loyal member of Xi Xi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Jerry received his BSBA in Business Administration from Arkansas State University. Jerry won life's lottery when he met and married, Sondra "Sandy" Schwab, setting out on a 60-year long life journey.
Jerry began his business career with Anheuser-Busch, Inc. in 1964. With Sandy's full support, they purchased C&C Distributor, Inc., an Anheuser-Busch wholesale distributor in Newport. Jerry and Sandy spent the majority of their lives in Newport, where Jerry successfully led C&C as C.E.O. For a decade, C&C consistently placed within the Bronze/Silver levels of AB and in 2022, AB congratulated Jerry for 50-years of partnership as an exclusive AB wholesaler. In 1988, Jerry served as Chairman of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Arkansas. Additionally, Jerry spearheaded numerous community projects including pioneering aluminum recycling and underwriting calling cards for veterans. Jerry had served in the USAF Reserve. Jerry was also invested in the community at large, serving as President of the Rotary Club. He was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.
During the 1980s, Jerry spent countless hours recruiting new businesses to Arkansas by serving on the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and as Chairman of the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Commission. Jerry served on several bank boards, including Merchants & Planters Holding Company and Greers Ferry Lake State Bank. He also served as President of Newport County Club. Jerry was likewise devoted to his faith community. While in Newport, Jerry was an active parishioner of St. Cecilia Catholic Church participating as a lector and serving on the parish council and as a business assistant for the Church. He was integral to St. Cecilia building a new church in 1994. Jerry also served on the Board of Directors of Ava Maria University in Naples. FL. After moving to Jonesboro, Jerry became a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Jerry and Sandy also loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit numerous countries, including Jerry's ancestral home of Italy. One of the highlights of Jerry's life was shaking the hand of Pope John Paul II.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Sandy, three children: Susan Smith and her husband, David, of Jonesboro, Shari Saracini Ballard and her husband, Bob Sim, of Charlotte, NC, and Stephanie Truitt and her husband, Hal, of Memphis, TN; seven grandchildren: Dr. Cassie Greenbaum and her husband, Ryan, of Albuquerque, NM, Sandy Cloninger and her husband, Adam, of England, AR, Jay Smith of Jonesboro, Jerry Smith of Jonesboro, Jack Ballard of Charlotte, NC, Jon Ballard of Charlotte, NC, Lillie Smith of Dallas, TX, Cooper Smith of Jonesboro; and three great-grandchildren: Adrienne Greenbaum, Smith Cloninger and Archie Cloninger.
There will be a Rosary Service on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, beginning at 6:30 pm at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Jonesboro followed by a visitation from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Funeral Mass to celebrate Jerry's life will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Monsignor Scott Friend officiating on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Jonesboro. Arrangements were entrusted to Gregg- Langford Bookout Funeral Home.
Gerald A. Saracini passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was 86 years old. Jerry was a devoted husband, loving father, generous grandfather, and proud great-grandfather. He accepted life's successes and challenges with unwavering gratitude and faith.
Jerry was born on July 27, 1936, in Poplar Bluff, MO. He was the only son of Tony and Freda Saracini. He started his parochial education at Sacred Heart Schools in Poplar Bluff. He attended Chaminade Preparatory School in St. Louis, MO. Jerry graduated from Poplar Bluff High School and attended the University of Missouri where he was a loyal member of Xi Xi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Jerry received his BSBA in Business Administration from Arkansas State University. Jerry won life's lottery when he met and married, Sondra "Sandy" Schwab, setting out on a 60-year long life journey.
Jerry began his business career with Anheuser-Busch, Inc. in 1964. With Sandy's full support, they purchased C&C Distributor, Inc., an Anheuser-Busch wholesale distributor in Newport. Jerry and Sandy spent the majority of their lives in Newport, where Jerry successfully led C&C as C.E.O. For a decade, C&C consistently placed within the Bronze/Silver levels of AB and in 2022, AB congratulated Jerry for 50-years of partnership as an exclusive AB wholesaler. In 1988, Jerry served as Chairman of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Arkansas. Additionally, Jerry spearheaded numerous community projects including pioneering aluminum recycling and underwriting calling cards for veterans. Jerry had served in the USAF Reserve. Jerry was also invested in the community at large, serving as President of the Rotary Club. He was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.
During the 1980s, Jerry spent countless hours recruiting new businesses to Arkansas by serving on the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and as Chairman of the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Commission. Jerry served on several bank boards, including Merchants & Planters Holding Company and Greers Ferry Lake State Bank. He also served as President of Newport County Club. Jerry was likewise devoted to his faith community. While in Newport, Jerry was an active parishioner of St. Cecilia Catholic Church participating as a lector and serving on the parish council and as a business assistant for the Church. He was integral to St. Cecilia building a new church in 1994. Jerry also served on the Board of Directors of Ava Maria University in Naples. FL. After moving to Jonesboro, Jerry became a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Jerry and Sandy also loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit numerous countries, including Jerry's ancestral home of Italy. One of the highlights of Jerry's life was shaking the hand of Pope John Paul II.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Sandy, three children: Susan Smith and her husband, David, of Jonesboro, Shari Saracini Ballard and her husband, Bob Sim, of Charlotte, NC, and Stephanie Truitt and her husband, Hal, of Memphis, TN; seven grandchildren: Dr. Cassie Greenbaum and her husband, Ryan, of Albuquerque, NM, Sandy Cloninger and her husband, Adam, of England, AR, Jay Smith of Jonesboro, Jerry Smith of Jonesboro, Jack Ballard of Charlotte, NC, Jon Ballard of Charlotte, NC, Lillie Smith of Dallas, TX, Cooper Smith of Jonesboro; and three great-grandchildren: Adrienne Greenbaum, Smith Cloninger and Archie Cloninger.
There will be a Rosary Service on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, beginning at 6:30 pm at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Jonesboro followed by a visitation from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Funeral Mass to celebrate Jerry's life will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Monsignor Scott Friend officiating on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Jonesboro. Arrangements were entrusted to Gregg- Langford Bookout Funeral Home.
Jerry was born on July 27, 1936, in Poplar Bluff, MO. He was the only son of Tony and Freda Saracini. He started his parochial education at Sacred Heart Schools in Poplar Bluff. He attended Chaminade Preparatory School in St. Louis, MO. Jerry graduated from Poplar Bluff High School and attended the University of Missouri where he was a loyal member of Xi Xi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Jerry received his BSBA in Business Administration from Arkansas State University. Jerry won life's lottery when he met and married, Sondra "Sandy" Schwab, setting out on a 60-year long life journey.
Jerry began his business career with Anheuser-Busch, Inc. in 1964. With Sandy's full support, they purchased C&C Distributor, Inc., an Anheuser-Busch wholesale distributor in Newport. Jerry and Sandy spent the majority of their lives in Newport, where Jerry successfully led C&C as C.E.O. For a decade, C&C consistently placed within the Bronze/Silver levels of AB and in 2022, AB congratulated Jerry for 50-years of partnership as an exclusive AB wholesaler. In 1988, Jerry served as Chairman of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Arkansas. Additionally, Jerry spearheaded numerous community projects including pioneering aluminum recycling and underwriting calling cards for veterans. Jerry had served in the USAF Reserve. Jerry was also invested in the community at large, serving as President of the Rotary Club. He was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.
During the 1980s, Jerry spent countless hours recruiting new businesses to Arkansas by serving on the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and as Chairman of the Newport-Jackson County Industrial Development Commission. Jerry served on several bank boards, including Merchants & Planters Holding Company and Greers Ferry Lake State Bank. He also served as President of Newport County Club. Jerry was likewise devoted to his faith community. While in Newport, Jerry was an active parishioner of St. Cecilia Catholic Church participating as a lector and serving on the parish council and as a business assistant for the Church. He was integral to St. Cecilia building a new church in 1994. Jerry also served on the Board of Directors of Ava Maria University in Naples. FL. After moving to Jonesboro, Jerry became a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Jerry and Sandy also loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit numerous countries, including Jerry's ancestral home of Italy. One of the highlights of Jerry's life was shaking the hand of Pope John Paul II.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Sandy, three children: Susan Smith and her husband, David, of Jonesboro, Shari Saracini Ballard and her husband, Bob Sim, of Charlotte, NC, and Stephanie Truitt and her husband, Hal, of Memphis, TN; seven grandchildren: Dr. Cassie Greenbaum and her husband, Ryan, of Albuquerque, NM, Sandy Cloninger and her husband, Adam, of England, AR, Jay Smith of Jonesboro, Jerry Smith of Jonesboro, Jack Ballard of Charlotte, NC, Jon Ballard of Charlotte, NC, Lillie Smith of Dallas, TX, Cooper Smith of Jonesboro; and three great-grandchildren: Adrienne Greenbaum, Smith Cloninger and Archie Cloninger.
There will be a Rosary Service on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, beginning at 6:30 pm at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Jonesboro followed by a visitation from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Funeral Mass to celebrate Jerry's life will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Monsignor Scott Friend officiating on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Jonesboro. Arrangements were entrusted to Gregg- Langford Bookout Funeral Home.
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