Jerry Glenn Rayburn

Services for Jerry Rayburn, 59, of Lake Cherokee, will be 10 AM Saturday, September 16, 2006, at Trinity Baptist Church in Lakeport with Dr. Gary Orr officiating. Interment will follow in Rosewood Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Friday evening, from 6-8 PM. Mr. Rayburn died Wednesday morning, September 13, 2006, at Good Shepherd Medical Center after a brief illness. Jerry was born November 19, 1946, to Steve and Kathryn Rayburn. He lived in Beaumont, TX for 47 years before moving to the Longview area in 1990. Jerry was self employed for a few years owning several businesses. He graduated from high school in Beaumont and attended Lamar University. For the last ten years he served as director of physical plant operations for Kilgore college. Jerry was active in his community and served on the board of directors for Cherokee Water Company, Lake Cherokee. He proudly served his country as a marine during the Vietnam War, and no man could have loved his flag more. He joined the marines in 1966 and died as a marine on September 13, 2006. Jerry met his loving wife, Rhonda, and they were married in 1995. Jerry was a devoted, caring, and loving husband, father, and grandfather. Jerry and Rhonda were members of Trinity Baptist Church. Jerry enjoyed life and living it. He enjoyed doing for others. He was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed working as much as playing. He was an excellent boss, that truly cared for his employees. He was a caring and compassionate man. Above all else, he was a man of principles and conviction, and had the courage to stand up to what he believed and knew to be right. Jerry?s worst fear was to have lived his life and never making a difference. ? He needed not fear that at all.? Jerry was a man who smiled even through bad times. He laughed at death because he knew it simply was a bump in the road to heaven. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Kathryn Rayburn. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda, of Lake Cherokee; brother and sister in law, Stephen and Teri Rayburn of Vidor, TX; sister in law, Wanda Vercher of Pineville, LA; two sons and daughter-in-law, Chase and Debbie Rayburn, and Matthew Rayburn of Virginia; daughter, Charisa Rayburn of Arkansas; stepsons and daughter-in-law, Clay and Jenny Richards and Vince Richards. He loved all his grandchildren, Amanda, Dallas, Dalton, Dallen, Gracie, Dylan, Corey, Nichole and Tiffany, and his special ?little buddy?, Cameron Shipp. These were all the lights of his life. He is also survived by his special friends, Kenny and Ola Shipp.

Jerry Glenn Rayburn

November 19, 1946 - September 13, 2006