Jerry Lee Atkinson

Jerry Lee Atkinson left this life on August 26, 2025, with his loving wife by his side, in the house his father built, and where Jerry and his wife raised their children. He was 61 years old.

Jerry was born in Topeka, Kansas on June 11, 1964, to Joseph Richard (JR) and Benita Louise (Bonnie) Atkinson. Jerry grew up just outside of Seminole in the country, where he loved to climb trees and get into trouble. He attended Pleasant Grove School, where he made many lifelong friends and met the love of his life. At the age of 13, after returning home from school he proclaimed to his mother, he had met the girl he was going to marry someday. He was right, on August 24, 1984, he married his best friend Terry Lynn Douglas. Together they would raise two children and celebrate 41 years of marriage.

Jerry found his professional passion in Land Surveying at Marshall Surveying. He loved that his son took an interest in surveying and was proud that they were able to work together prior to his retirement. Although retired, he continued to help friends with land issues and was a constant source of knowledge and support for his daughter, who also chose a land-related profession.

Jerry was known for his love of music and for a volume knob that seemed to only go in one direction: up. He enjoyed sharing this passion with his loved ones, taking friends and family to as many concerts as possible over the years. A lifelong car enthusiast, the roar of the engine and the smell of racing fuel were a symphony to Jerry. A crew member for many years, he spent countless hours in the pits and on the track with the Top Alcohol Funny Car team of the “Seminole Shaker”. An avid fisherman, Jerry will be remembered for the revered yearly fishing trips he planned, creating lasting memories with his children and friends. He was a firm believer that learning never ended. Jerry’s journey through life was one of perpetual discovery, his enthusiasm for history and science was infectious. He spent a lifetime captivated by subjects like ancient Egypt and the stunningcomplexity of the cosmos.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents J.R. and Bonnie Atkinson, his mother-in-law Jean Douglas, nephew Brett Wolfe and cousin Jim Atkinson. He is survived by his wife Terry, son Damon, daughter Danielle and her partner Chesney, his puppy grandson Henry and his feline granddaughter Dumplin’, sister Teresa Wolf and father-in-law BooketDouglas. Jerry is survived by many cherished friends and family members, to name just a few, his nephew Todd Streater, niece Madison Streater Parsons, cousin Martin Atkinson, nephew Billy and Tara Wolfe, good friends Robert Anderson, James Conger, William Larney, and Henry and Eben Sprague.

A loyal friend to many and a dedicated family man, Jerry lived his life with no regrets and a heart of gold. He loved to help people and showed up whenever he could lend a hand. A simple act of kindness for another is how we ask you to pay your respect for the passing of a great man.

The Atkinson family is planning a private ceremony at a later date.