Jerry Neal Derryberry Sr.

Jerry Neal Derryberry Sr., 73, of Kingston, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on Dec. 1, 1940, in Jackson to the late Norman Leslie and Bernice Harris Derryberry. The family moved to Oak Ridge in 1943, where his father worked on the Manhattan Project.
He graduated in 1959 from Oak Ridge High School where he was elected "Most Creative" of his senior class. He married the love of his life, Ann McCarty Derryberry, in 1964. His passion in life was his wife, son Neal and daughter-in-law, Suzanne. He had a great love for the Lord and his church family.
Most of his life he spent training Tennessee walking horses in East Tennessee and North Carolina. He also worked for many years at the former Oak Ridge Chrysler Dealership in Oak Ridge.
He was well-known and respected in the Tennessee walking horse community and served this organization in many capacities. He was given the distinguished honor to exhibit Tennessee walking horses on three different occasions as a prelude at Tennessee Volunteer homecoming football games.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann McCarty Derryberry; his son, Jerry Neal Derryberry Jr. and daughter-in-law Suzanne Collins Derryberry, all of Kingston. Other survivors are brothers-in-law, Marvin McCarty and wife Pat, Oak Ridge, Colon McCarty and wife Betty, Clinton, Clayton McCarty, Kingston, and Joe McCarty and wife Valerie, Oak Ridge; many cherished nieces and nephews; and a host of special friends.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15, in Central Baptist Church at 245 Bailey Road, Kingston, with memorial service following at 3 p.m. in the church sanctuary with the Rev. Corey Jones and the Rev. Charles Campbell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to either Central Baptist Church, P.O. Box 298, Kingston, TN 37763; or to the charity of the donor's choice. An online register book can be signed at www.FrakerFuneralHome.net. Fraker Funeral Home, Kingston, is in charge of arrangements.