The Rev. Dr. Jerry Neff

On the morning of Saturday, December 6, this world lost one of the good guys! The Rev. Dr. Jerry Neff, husband, father, Papa, friend and pastor, was reunited with his parents and four brothers. What a glorious reunion it must of have been, but what a big hole it leaves in the lives of so many. In the words of one of his many friends, he had great faith, great love and great influence.

Jerry loved his creator and counted it one of his greatest joys to serve God through the United Methodist Church for over 45 years. It was through the United Methodist Church that he met his wife of 48 years, raised his children, found his dearest friends, connected to his golf buddies and lived out his calling. It was also there that he had the opportunity to mentor many people seeking to better serve God.

He adored his family and was a faithful husband to his wife Laura, enjoying nothing better than cooking her a wonderful meal. He took great pride in watching his three sons, Matthew, Patrick and Andrew, grow into the men God created them to be. And he loved his many nieces and nephews and relished in the role of Uncle Jerry. But perhaps his favorite role was that of Papa to his 2 grandchildren, Charlotte and Jonah. If he had any regrets, it was that he couldn’t hang around to watch them grow and blossom. His circle was wide, drawing others (whether family, friends or strangers) into his embrace. He always made room for one more.

He was so grateful for God’s abundant blessings in his life, one of which was the extra years he was granted through his double lung transplant in 2022. He sought to honor that gift every day in every way he could. What joy he took in these opportunities to be with his friends and family, to travel to far flung places and especially to help start the United Methodist Church of the Pines in Jasper, TX.

Jerry valued education and never quit learning and growing. He earned his BS at University of Texas in Arlington and then went on to earn both his Masters and Doctorate at Perkins School of Theology at SMU. All this he did while working and raising a family, never faltering in his determination to learn all he could to better serve his Lord.

He is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Jim and Bobbie Neff and his brothers, Mike, Jim, Steve and Mark. He is survived by his wife, Laura Owens Neff; his sons and their families: Matthew, Alise and Charlotte; Patrick; and Andrew, Holly Crannell and Jonah; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and too many friends to count.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at United Methodist Church of the Pines in Jasper, TX, and Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Moody United Methodist Church, 2803 53rd St., in Galveston, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial gifts go to UMC of the Pines at 740 Verna Street, Jasper, TX 75951. Both services will be live streamed for those who are not able to attend.