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Jerome Palmer Carris Jr.

FUNERAL HOME

Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home

1148 East Plant Street

Winter Garden, Florida

Jerome Carris Obituary

CARRIS, JEROME PALMER, JR. The very accomplished life of Jerry Carris ended suddenly on March 8, 2012, at ORMC, the very same place it began on May 30, 1926. Jerry attended Marks St School, Memorial Jr. High, and
Orlando High School. He graduated from San Rafael High and immediately volunteered to be drafted into the Marines during WWII. After Boot Camp and Infantry School, he joined the 2nd (Follow Me) Marine Division and boarded a ship for the Pacific Combat Zone. Serving in Saipan, he participated in the
invasion of Okinawa and later was one of the first of the occupational forces in Nagasaki. He was discharged in San Francisco and then hitchhiked back to Orlando. With the help of the GI Bill, he attended the Great University of Florida and received a BSA in Agriculture. After working in several Ag-related jobs, Jerry decided to begin his career as a teacher of agriculture at Lakeview High School where his expertise could make a greater impact. He inherited a mediocre Agriculture Department and quickly developed it into a robust academic program. When West Orange High was built he started the Ag program there. While teaching he got his Masters of Education from U of F. During this period, he was nominated for Orange County "Man of the Year." As a member and officer of the Lions Club, he headed the award-winning Winter Garden Exhibit at the Cent FL Fair for many years, a role he later assumed as a Member of Winter Garden Lodge #165, Free and Accepted Masons. Later, he initiated the demonstration garden at the Fair Grounds. He was a Certified Master Gardener for over 20 years and started the Winter Garden Community Garden. This achievement earned him State Master Gardener of the Year honors, as well as, Citizen of Year for the City of Winter Garden and received the Key to the City. Jerry is predeceased by his parents, J.P., Sr. and Bess Carris, his daughter Jeri Mae Blackwelder (nee
Gannaway) and his first wife, Vivian Mae (nee Doll). He is survived by his Wife Viginia E. (nee Edwards) and his three sons William A.
Gannaway (Donna), Rev. Jerome P. Carris, III (Lynette), and W. Neal Carris (Marjorie). Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and Great-Great Grandchildren make for a very full family tree. All Services will be at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden: Visitation will be Thursday, March 15 from 4 - 5:30 PM and 7 - 8:30 PM. Memorial Service will be Friday, March 16 at 11 AM. Interment will follow at the Winter Garden Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home Winter Garden, FL.
www.collisoncareyhand.com

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Published by Orlando Sentinel on Mar. 13, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Jerome Carris

20 Entries

April 10, 2012

Mr. Carris you were my favorite teacher.

You saw the best in us and helped us to find ourselves. Thank you for instilling courage to try new things (like trying the cello bass).

Also the stories of your military service helped me make my decision to join Army.

I know I will see you again and will enjoy the new gardens you will build in our Heavenly Father's home.

My prayers and condolences go out to you family.

A very grateful student,
Kim Greenelsh

Sheila Gorham Ratliff

March 23, 2012

My sympathies to the family. Jerry and his family were wonderful and helpful neighbors during a difficult time in my life. He was definitely a man who made a difference

March 17, 2012

You were one of my favorite teachers because you always kept my interest. Many years have passed since high school and I could still call you with help with questions about snakes or plants.Doug Wilson,Lakeview class of '72.

Boe Murphy

March 16, 2012

To the Carris family..we were all very saddened to learn of Mr. Carris passing..he was more than a teacher to my brother Frank and I..he was also our friend..always there for us..with a helping hand and a kind word..I respected him more than any teacher I ever had..he had a way of making his students feel worthy and that we could be a success in life. We know that he is some place now with a kind smile on his face and planning his next garden...Thank you Mr. Carris for all you did...God speed...The Murphy family, Boe, Frank, Carol, John. Class of 67,69,71

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Joe Clenney

March 16, 2012

I remember the fine FFA Banquets when most teachers had low salaries so it was a wonderful treat for us. Jerry was a people person and always made everyone feel welcomed. I was amazed at his accomplishments which he never mentioned. I also recall many Frog Gigging Trips, and we cooked the Frogs in the middle of the night. Once Jerry gigged a Gator by mistake that Gator was super mad. Jerry said, "Get him off!" Naturally, Jerry was up on a Barbwire Fence so I did.These are good memories with Jerry, and the Carris Family that I will carry with me.Jerry was a special man, and he was a special American. Our prayers and condolences go out to the family.

John Cloran

March 15, 2012

My family thoughts and prays are with your family. I met Mr. Carris when Lester Dabb's wanted me to move to West Orange High School as an Agriculture teacher. I did not come there but he helped me to improve my program at Apopka as a begining teacher.
John and Patricia Cloran

Sherri Weaver Waldman

March 15, 2012

My prayers are with his family and those who loved him. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Linda Wagman

March 15, 2012

"I know you are now living in the most beautiful garden you have ever seen and are now enjoying paradise! The neighborhood will miss you dearly and I will cherish our friendship in my heart forever. Love to Mrs. Carris and the family."

Ruth Sowers

March 15, 2012

Jerry was such a blessing as a friend and a neighbor. He was always there to id a bug or a snake or plant and there were so many that we didn't have in IL :)! Hugs,laughs, history lessons, and music all along the way. There were lots of hard things about moving to TN, leaving Jerry and Virginia was certainly one of them after 20 years. I feel bad I can't come back right now but Virginia, I'll stay in touch.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth Sowers

Sally Hurley

March 14, 2012

I am so sorry to see the sad news. I know there are countless students like myself for whom Mr. Carris provided a special kind of mooring at Lakeview and West Orange High. I remember his constant kindness, his sly sense of humor, his remarkable intellect and the way that he listened as if he meant it. He certainly had my respect and affection, and I can only imagine how much his family misses him. You are all in my thoughts.

J Walker

March 14, 2012

What a kind and giving man! Always willing to make time to help everyone. I just thought of you the other day to help guide me through a project. I smile thinking of your smile. Thank you for spending time with me and my son to teach us the ways of the garden.

March 13, 2012

I feel blessed to have met Mr. Carris. He was a wealth of information about gardening and possessed the patience and kindness to share it. I send this message with deepest respect and sympathies to his family, friends and the community on his passing. He will be greatly missed.

March 13, 2012

I found Jerry to be a good and helpful friend with my gardening. I greeted him every Sunday in the church service. Sympathy to his wife and family.
Forest F. Harvey

Lynne Neal Lett

March 13, 2012

I will miss you dear cousin even though we lost contact a long time ago. I remember Sunday afternoons at Aunt Bess's where you and Jerry (Scooter) would play the guitar and mandalin and sing for hours, one of my great childhood memories. I will miss you.
Lynne Neal Lett

March 13, 2012

I learned so much about growing vegetables in Florida from Jerry. He truly loved any type of gardening, and was always there to lend a helping hand as a volunteer Orange County Master Gardener. His Master Gardener of the Year award from UF was well deserved. I feel blessed to have known Jerry, and he will be missed.

Becky Sterns

March 10, 2012

You were the best father in law that any one could ask for as well as a friend. You will be miss by me and Mark and our children every day we love
you. Becky Sterns

Cassie Sterns

March 10, 2012

Words cannot express how you touched my life. You were my grandpa. No one will ever take your place. I am comforted to have had you, in my life, for 30 wonderful years. No one ever gives a hug quite like you did. I am going to miss you so much. But your memories and lessons are in my heart. I love you grandpa

jennifer sterns-stack

March 10, 2012

to the best grandpa out there i miss you and my heart is broken you have taught us all so much and been the heart of grandma i love you grandpa and i know you are watching us from heaven i hope one day to leave a legacy just like you have on so manylives thank you for showing us "BOYS" about nature and the love you had for all of us... playing the harmonica for us on our birthdays to taking out to the garden and helping us build a garden in our yard... i cannot say goodbye but see you real soon love your granddaughter jennifer s.

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