Jerry Neal Wike

1916 - 2014

SAN ANGELO - Jerry Neal Wike passed away Dec. 30, 2014, in Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, at the age of 98.
He was born Jan. 31, 1916, in Millersview, Texas, on the family ranch to Jeffie and Neely Monroe Wike. He married Velma Opal McIver in Fort Worth, Texas, in May of 1946. A graduate of San Angelo's Lakeview High School, Jerry worked for Santa Fe Railroad for 34 years as both brakeman and conductor on passenger and freight trains. He worked throughout West Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, including San Angelo, Hamlin, Fort Stockton, Presidio, Slaton, Clovis and Amarillo before retiring in 1976. He and Opal then moved to Montgomery, Texas, where he lived for 38 years helping to raise Angus Cattle on the Powers family farm.
Jerry was a lover of all animals - cattle, squirrels, birds, cats, goats and especially dogs. He provided loving care for his many pets throughout the years.
Jerry will be remembered as being a true southern gentleman, a loving and devoted husband and father and for his kindness and generosity to others. He was also known for his skill in cooking and baking often sharing bags of homemade pralines.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Velma Opal Wike; infant son Jerry Lynn; parents; brothers and their wives Alton and Elnora, A.C. and Sue, Troy and Helen Wike. Also preceding him in death were sisters-in-law Mable Anderson and Violet Weldon; brother-in-law Bill C. McIver; nephew Billy D. Weldon; and son-in-law Henry Powers.
Jerry is survived by daughter Sandra Powers of Montgomery; nephew Keith Anderson and family of Fort Worth, Carolyn Batten of Tyler, Janis Roznowski of Austin and San Antonio, Glenna Loera and Joanne Wike of San Angelo along with a a host of other nephews and nieces. Also surviving is longtime family friend Bette Allison.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Mohammed Attar and the nursing staff of Methodist Hospital for their care and compassion for the last 27 years and to Juana Filla, who has been a caretaker for the last five years.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in the chapel of Johnson's Funeral Home, San Angelo, Texas, with interment following in Fairmount Cemetery.
Family and friends may sign and online register book at johnsons-funeralhome.com.