(Mar-13-2012) Last week seems somewhat of a blur to me and I am sure it does to many of our readers as well. The Bolivar Peninsula lost a dear friend to many, a leader of the community, the pastor of the Bolivar Peninsula Church of Christ, and a strong advocate for all that is right and good — Pastor Jerry Valentine. Reading the various posts and notes that have come my way since Jerry’s death on March 2, and meeting many of his friends and family on March 10, at his Celebration of Life has helped me to put his living and his dying into prospective.

For those of you who could not gather at First Baptist Church in Crystal Beach on Saturday, I will give a brief recount of what occurred. As my husband and I drove to the peninsula I continued to pray that the dear Lord would honor our request and give a few hours of holding back the rain that had been coming down in sheets. Every post from Bolivar on Saturday morning had referred to the large amount of rain that had fallen. One man wrote that his rain gauge showed almost three inches just on Saturday morning and that it was still coming down.

I don’t know about you or your feelings, but somehow saying goodbye to a loved one during a storm with rain and wind, especially on the peninsula, is just more difficult. I did not know it at the time, but several others were praying the same prayer in behalf of Jerry’s large family and the gathering of friends. Tracy Barnett posted about the same time I did that it looked as though the rain was holding back and that a glimmer of sunshine was showing through on the peninsula as the people began to gather for the service. She and I both thought that the dear was letting Jerry somewhat control the weather during this few hours of time, or maybe, God decided we needed cheer to brighten our hearts and minds.

As we arrived at the church, the largest on the peninsula, a full hour and 15 minutes before the service was to start, cars were already parked in the parking lot nearest the main building. We went inside and visited with friends and spoke to the family as we saw them, and we are told that before the 2:00 pm service actually started, all of the parking lots were filled to capacity, side streets were jammed, and the main highway had a long line of vehicles parked on either side. Crowd estimates varied according to the person speaking, but all agree that more than 400 people were present. The main auditorium was filled with standing room only along the aisles and many were gathered in the fellowship hall of the church as well.

One reason this is a fact to note is that another large event was taking place on the peninsula at the same time.The Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department was hosting their biggest fund rasier of the year, the Fried Oyster Dinner, and dozens were involved and had to be present there. Later reports indicated that this group had a record attendance and that over 1,078 dinners were served.

The Celebration of Life for Jerry was led by his beloved friend, Don Rao, who came directly to the church from six days in Methodist Hospital. In fact, the speaker for the day, Jerry Nelson, cut Mr. Fao’s arm band from the hospital off his arm before he led the first song.  Both Mr. Rao and Mr. Nelson and their families are members of the Church of Christ and have been exceptional friends to the pastor and his family. No one could have done a better job that Mr. Rao of describing Jerry and in leading the music that were favorite songs of the pastor. Mr. Nelson, owner of Nutty Jerry’s and many other businesses, including cattle and farming, was clearly moved as he spoke of the man who never judged him, but always loved and helped him. He had written a lovely poem the night before which he shared with the congregation.

Several of Jerry’s dear friends stood to tell “Jerry stories” and everyone knew that they were all quite true. His talent and love of long casting was mentioned, as was his love of music, his humor, pet names for family, and no one told any story that missed his friendliness, openness, and concern for people from all walks of life. His son, Jamie, a US Marine, spoke of his father and thanked the people for coming to say their goodbyes. It was truly a Celebration of Life and not a funeral in the strictest sense of the word.

A wonderful slideshow was prepared of many factions of Jerry’s life. Rhea Senseney Hemmings, local photographer and a member of the Church of Christ, did a marvelous job of including so many that Jerry loved in that presentation.

Jerry has indeed changed his address from Crystal Beach, Texas to the streets of Heaven, but his work will long live on and his goodness will be remembered by those whose lives he touched. I am honored that he was my friend and the more I think about it, the more I believe he is still my friend, and I know in my heart that I will one day walk those same streets with him in Heaven. And, I would wager that he’ll be laughing, hugging someone, perhaps casting a line or two, and having fun. Our prayers are now for Debbie, whose grace this past two years, has been a demonstration of the love of God, and Jerri (the daughter whom he loved so much), Jamie and his family, and all of the other family members that I do not personally know as well. We need to continue to shore up the sad moments, fill in the spaces as best we can, and be that friend to them that they have been to us.

(I have compiled a group of postings, notes, direct comments, and emails that have been written since Jerry’s home going for the family and hope to have that completed soon. We will share some of those as time permits.)

Contact Brenda Cannon Henley:
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