Jerry Lawrence Sansing

Jerry Sansing was born at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee on September 16th, 1944 to Doris and Gilbert Sansing. The youngest of three boys, he attended The Little Flower School, Snowden School and graduated from Memphis Central High School in 1964. Jerry graduated with a BS in Graphic Design from Arkansas State University in 1969.

Affectionately known as Jerry, Jay-Ray, Dad, Papaw, but mostly J-Ray, he was no boy scout. Well wait. Yes, he was a boy scout actually.

Jerry Sansing never met a stranger. Ever. He was unpretentious and could talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime. With a "whadoyasaythereyoungman" greeting, a hearty handshake and infectious smile, he made folks feel at ease and primed for a hearty dose of high hilarity.

He was witty, easygoing, rarely angered and even-keeled. Jerry's jokes: insensitive? Perhaps. Meanspirited? No. He smoked for the better part of 65 years, rarely drank alcohol and maintained a diet largely based upon the sugary processed foods pyramid. Tahitian Treat was no mere indulgence but a viable food group, as were Hostess snowballs, Wendy's chili and circus peanuts. Activity was one of his superpowers; he was a member of the high school track team, a lifetime walker, golfer, skilled fly fisherman and tennis player.

A music aficionado, Jerry was a member of the Central High chorus. There was always music, particularly rhythm and blues. Teddy Pendergrass and Johnnie Taylor, the Isley Brothers and Bobby Womack: his tastes are realized in the musical accomplishments and affinities of his kiddos today. "It's so hot out here I think I'm gonna pass out, dad!" And there he would be in full-on concert mode singing "It's Too Hot" by Kool and The Gang. Pretty difficult to be angry with someone singing at you. Regardless of the situation, he had an uncanny ability to elicit laughter.

If you were living in midtown in the 1950s and 60s and looking to get into some serious mischief and/or royally irk your parents, Jerry was your go-to. It's doubtful the Scouts awarded merit badges for smoking, truancy, and auto theft, but certainly dedication to these crafts might have counted for a sewn-on patch or two for effort.

Whether he was setting the back porch ablaze via a kitchen mop, "borrowing" a car for a Hooker Hood joyride to the soda fountain or getting "mouthy" with a couple of Tiller brothers, Jerry was quick to enlist the aid of his fellow classmates and friends. Whether he was skydiving or driving with a buddy to California in a Triumph Spitfire, dull moments were rare. Though who wouldn't want to see a Wes Montgomery performance in San Francisco?

At Arkansas State, Jerry met life-long friend, Tommy French; thus the launch of the Tom and Jerry "show" featuring city-slicker excursions and countless fly-fishing trips to Bear Creek. Paying no deference to his scouting abilities, Jerry would often arrive unprepared with one lure and half a dozen pieces of rods knowing Tom would have them covered.

Upon college graduation, Jerry moved back to Memphis to work with his father at the family's agricultural printing business for the next 50 years. Jerry loved his friends, family and children and most of all his wife, Kitty.

Jerry Sansing was all things Memphis: born and raised, lived in and departed from the same midtown zip code. He loved Memphis Wrastlin' (his Handsome Jimmy impersonation was a sight to behold), Memphis people, Memphis music, Memphis food (The Little Tea Shop and Payne's). He lived his life in the present, at his own soulful J-Ray pace.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years, Kitty Lynn Sansing, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Gilbert Sansing (Doris) of Memphis and brother, John White Sansing of Washington, DC. He leaves behind brother James Gilbert Sansing Jr. (Victoria), daughter Jennifer Sansing Hughes (Mike), sons Jerry Lawrence Sansing Jr. (Leah), Ezekiel Sumner Sansing, Forrest Campbell Sansing, all of Memphis, Tennessee, and granddaughter Anne Campbell Murff of Washington, DC.

A heartfelt thanks to the caring people who made it possible for Jerry to be at home including, but certainly not limited to, Zeke and Forrest, Anna Burnett, Clare Branch, Lataujui Pollard, Philip with Compassus Hospice and fur-nurses Coach and Drago who sat vigil throughout (much to Jerry's occasional chagrin).

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 22nd at home: 1850 Autumn Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38112. All are welcome. Please bring your favorite stories to share and plan to raise a glass (and a smoke if so inclined) to Jerry Sansing.