- Date Of Birth: July 26, 1948
- Date Of Death: November 28, 2021
- State: Michigan
Jerry Tindell passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side, Sunday evening, November 28, 2021. Jerry was born July 26, 1948, in Cottonwood, AL. He is the son of Floyd and Vivia (McCord) Tindell and known to family as “Wayne”. His father was a sharecropper and Jerry grew up learning to farm and picking peanuts and cotton. He would often accompany a family friend to sell watermelons at markets in Birmingham and Mobile. Jerry enjoyed fishing and hunting and even caught an alligator one day in a stream near where he was cutting timber.
Jerry’s first job was for a John Deere implement dealer in Belvedere, IL then went on to work as a contractor in telecommunications. He enjoyed a career starting as a cable splicer working for General Telephone, Verizon, United of Indiana, and United of Ohio, and retired as a General Manager for Sprint in Ohio.
Upon early retirement, Jerry and his wife Therese moved to Tellico Plains, TN, and built a home in the mountains. Jerry bought a skid loader “Bob” and went to work for the Cherokee National Forest Service building picnic tables, mowing grass, cutting trees, and maintaining roads, ditches, and the beaches at Indian Boundary. He enjoyed every day so much that he said it never seemed like work. Time off work was spent fishing in the river for Rainbow Trout.
While in Tennessee, Jerry was instrumental in helping to build the only Catholic Church in Monroe County, St. Joseph the Worker. Along with a small dedicated group of parishioners, Jerry built three beautiful stained-glass windows for the church and a walnut cross for the sanctuary.
Years later, Jerry and Therese moved to Kalamazoo, MI to be close to family. Jerry enjoyed rocking in his chair on the front porch and greeting passing neighbors. He loved his family and was truly blessed to be able to enjoy his grandchildren.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife Therese and their children, Jennifer Tindell, Christopher Tindell, Rebecca (Mark) Nixon, Susan (Hershel) Jude; grandchildren, Caleb, Michael, Ian, and Christian Nixon, and Lucas and Cora Jude. Also surviving are his brother, Earl (Shirley) Tindell; sisters, Shirley Freeman, Gloria (Tommy) Chambers; and sisters-in-law, Natalia Tindell and Jeannie Tindell.
Jerry was preceded in death by his son Timothy Tindell; brothers, Bill (Mary) Tindell, James Yuther Tindell, Curley Tindell; and sisters, Daisy (James) Love; and a nephew James Jeff Tindell.
