Obituary for Jerry Wayne Couch
Provided by Heritage Funeral Home, Panama City, Fl Jerry
Wayne Couch
November 1, 1935 - February 27, 2012
Jerry was born to
Marion and Leola Couch in Bessemer, Alabama, on November 1, 1935. After
graduating from Bessemer High School in 1953, Jerry attended Florida State
University where he played centerfield for the first Seminole baseball team
to attend the College World Series. While in college, Jerry also worked
part time as a ballroom dance instructor.
After moving to Panama City
Beach in 1959, Jerry used his background in Hotel Management to assist his
parents with the family motel business. Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Army and
served his country for several years while stationed in Germany. Known as a
"Jack-Of-All-Trades", Jerry had a knack for designing and building things.
He constructed several additions to the family motel over the years and
numerous houses, including his parents' retirement home. After spending
over forty years in the hotel industry, Jerry retired in 2003.
His
passions included traveling, being outdoors, working with his hands,
dancing, and singing in the church choir. Whether sailing, fishing,
boating, or jet skiing - Jerry was at home on the open water. He had a
smooth bass tone that added power to the Men's Quartet. Jerry loved working
in the yard and creating landscape designs, greenhouses, patios, and decks.
he was always inventing new and ingenious ideas and products; he was
awarded a patent for a swing he designed and built for his grandchildren.
Jerry loved life, loved his family, loved his friends, and loved to share a
corny joke with everyone he met. His stories, which he called "Pops'
Yarns", always put a smile on your face and made you chuckle.
Jerry will
be greatly missed but now has a glorified body. he was a part of The Rock
church of Panama City family for over 25 years and loved his God,
Yahweh.
He was predeceased by his parents: Leola and Marion Couch. Jerry
leaves behind his wife, "love and best friend" of 33 years, Glenda; Seven
children who he cherished and loved dearly - four daughters: Kathy Webb and
husband, David, of Tampa; Lorri Crawford of Tallahassee; Julie Couch of
Tallahassee; Cheri Dickson and husband, David, of Crestview; and Glenda's
three children: Beverly Todd and husband, Kyle, of Panama City; Glenn
Warren and wife, Debbie, of Tampa; Cynthia Joseph and husband, Paul, of
Panama City Beach. Jerry lovingly bragged to everyone he met about his
twenty grandchildren. Jerry was affectionately called "Pops" by his
grandchildren and everyone who knew and loved him.