Jerry Wayne Eatherly

Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Wayne Eatherly, aged 82, of Fairfax Station, VA, passed away peacefully at home on December 8, 2024.

Born on November 26, 1942, in Lebanon Tennessee, Jerry was the son of Edgar William Eatherly & Barbara Wylene Philpot Eatherly, and the oldest of four children.

A dedicated and highly respected member of the U.S. Army, Jerry served his country with honor for 20 years, joining in 1967 and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1987. He was a decorated officer, having served two tours as a Cobra pilot in Vietnam and one tour in Korea. 

Jerry attended Murfreesboro Central High School, Middle Tennessee State University, The University of Tennessee, and obtained his Master’s degree at Kansas State University. After retiring from the Army, Jerry went on to found Technology Concepts & Designs Inc. (TCDI), an IT services and software development company. He also worked as a Computer Operating Systems Developer for the U.S. Department of State from 1980 to 1985, and later served as a Senior Management Analyst with The Prospective Group.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife, Deborah “Debbie” Briggs Eatherly, and their son, William Goodbar Eatherly, born in 1996; his siblings Jack Eatherly (Susan), Jill Eatherly, and Jeff Eatherly (Shelley); as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He will also be greatly missed by his two parrots, Max and Mosby, and his two cavachons, Zelda and Link.

He was a devoted father and loved spending time with Will, whether coaching his football team or a scout leader of his boy scout troop. He also passed on to his son his passion for sport cars, boats, and motorcycles. His interest in anything technical meant the house was always full of the latest gaming console and equipment.

A service to celebrate Jerry's life will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with full military honors at a later date. A memorial celebration will be held in January 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation at garysinisefoundation.org or The Emma Jordon Kidz Fighting Cancer Foundation at kidzfightingcancer.org. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Carewell Cremations in Fairfax, VA.