Jerome McAtee

1933 - 2014

Jerome T. 'Jerry' McAtee
Mount Vernon, Ind.
On December 16, 2014, Jerome T. "Jerry" McAtee passed from this life to happily greet his soul mate, his best friend, and the love of his life, Ramona Y. "Mona" McAtee, just in time for Mona's birthday. They now dance together in the brilliance of God's light in paradise forever. Jerry lived a passionate life - he was deeply devoted to his family, his church and the dear Lord, and his unequivocal values and opinions. Those who knew Jerry admired him for his, his booming voice, his knack for story-telling, and his hearty laughter.
Jerry was born on March 10, 1933, to Anna and Bernard McAtee. In his younger days, Jerry enjoyed roller skating, dancing the jitterbug, Clabber, golf, and the activities of the St. Philip Men's Club. A graduate of St. Boniface elementary school and then, Mater Dei High School in 1951, he grew up with his two sisters, Rosemary and Ruth, and three brothers, Bernard, Kenny and Mickey, on the west side of Evansville, making sure to be in church every Sunday to make up for the week's shenanigans.
Jerry worked his entire career as a telephone man for Indiana Bell and AT&T for 35 years. After his retirement, he started a business with his partner Andy Moser called M & M Telephone Company, which they operated for 12 years. His experience in running and servicing telephone lines in many old buildings in Evansville provided fodder for good stories and gifted him with a good understanding of technology. In later years, that gift transferred to a curiosity of computers and cable television, which is why he enthusiastically often contacted the cable company - from the call center employees all the way up to the executives - to voice unsolicited, but constructive, criticism.
He preferred simplicity over putting on airs, wearing his beloved plain white t-shirts and jeans for most any occasion. But, he cleaned up well and could wear a suit confidently - a fact he proved one recent Easter when he donned an old mint green leisure suit from the 70s, just to be silly and make his grandchildren smile. He was a Little Debbie snack aficionado, Libs chocolate turtle-lover, and Dove chocolate bar fan, yet he was always happy to share them with his family (so long as no one ate the last one). Jerry cheered for Hoosier basketball, though he would tell you it never was the same after Bob Knight, and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. He took great pleasure in visits to Weinzapfel's Tavern, where he was always asked and encouraged to tell one of his many good stories, and dinners at St. Philip Inn.
Jerry leaves a legacy of cherished family members in his sister, Rosemary Freeman; his daughters, Lesa A. Carr (Joe); Angie M. Spivey; and Wendy M. Jennings (Lance); grandchildren, Crystal S. Wildeman (Brian), Leah N. Spivey, Cory J. Carr, Cortney A. Carr, and Caleb T. Jennings; and great-grandchildren, Adelaide, Marjorie and Evaline. Jerry boasted often of how proud he was of his "beautiful" daughters and the "dandies" of grandchildren and great-grandchildren with which he had been blessed. His love, his humor, his shining example of dedication to his wedding vow of love, even in sickness and health, and his guidance and wisdom will be missed dearly. Jerry forever lives on in our hearts.
The family would like to thank Pat and Dick English and Nick Wolf for their countless acts of kindness, Dr. Robert Rusche and staff, the Deaconess Hospice nursing staff for their care and all the family and friends who have supported Jerry and Mona in their journey to the afterlife.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2014, at St. Philip Catholic Church, Rev. Claude Burns officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Friends may visit with the family from 2 until 8 p.m. on Thursday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street, where there will be a rosary said at 4 p.m. Friends may also visit with the family from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Friday at St. Philip Catholic Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Philip Church, 3500 S. St. Philip Road, Mt. Vernon, IN 47620, or to Mater Dei High School, 1300 Harmony Way, Evansville, IN 47720.
Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.