Jerry Leon Janway

 

Jerry L. Janway passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at his home in Waxahachie, TX. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 2pm at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County (The Ranch House Youth Building). Interment to be at the DFW National Cemetery at a later date.  

 

Jerry was born December 15,1950 to Ruby and James Janway in McAllister, OK where he lived until he attended college at Oklahoma State University in 1969. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Forestry in 1973. Jerry was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy in 1974 earning the rank of Lieutenant. He trained as a pilot & became a flight instructor. Upon being decommissioned into the Naval Reserves, he started flying for a charter flight service at Wylie Post Airport in Bethany, OK where he met his future wife, Kathy Wright. They married in 1982 in Oklahoma City, OK and were married 41 years at the time of his passing.  

 

After flying a variety of aircraft, he and Kathy settled in DeSoto, TX where he was hired by Northwest Airlines in 1984. He flew the 727, 747, and A330. After the merger of Northwest and Delta Airlines, he continued flying until he had to take medical retirement in December 2010.  

 

The Janways moved to Waxahachie, TX in 1992 where they lived for 31 years. Jerry loved to travel with his family, with Colorado being a favorite spot. He also enjoyed working on the farm, spoiling his youngest grandchildren by giving them frequent scooter and ranger rides and just hanging out talking and playing games with the older grandchildren. A little-known piece of trivia about him was that he loved his holey Hawaiian shirts, with some dating back about 20 years. Jerry loved God, his church (Cowboy Church of Ellis County), his family & his country. 

 

Jerry is survived by his wife Kathy; daughter Heather and husband, David Roberts; son John Janway and wife, Gina; Zach Janway and wife, Sam; Andy Janway and wife, Sarah; Nick Janway and wife, Cassie; eleven grandchildren, Preston Roberts and fiance Gabby; Hayden Roberts; Addie and Jett Janway; River, Ollie, and Clara Janway; Hunter and Katlyn Kammerdiener; Lilly and Wren Janway; and numerous nieces and nephews.