Leroy JERNIGAN Obituary
Of Fort Worth Passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and support on August 30, 2022. Roy was born on June 8, 1936, in Odum, Georgia and was raised by his mother Annie (Delk) Jernigan (deceased) and father Leroy Jernigan Sr. (deceased) along with his siblings sister Grace (Seneca, Kansas) and brother Johnny (deceased). Roy served in the United States Air Force from 1955-1959, specializing in electronics. He was stationed out of Kessler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. After leaving the Air Force he instructed enlisted men in the use of Radar systems. Roy went on to work for 36 years at Sperry/Unisys, which eventually merged with Lockheed Martin. During his time at Sperry, he was honored to observe UNIVAC, the first commercially produced computer system and contribute to the creation of the Northrop B-2 Spirit (Stealth). After retiring from Sperry, Roy joined Century 21 real estate in 1995 before permanently retiring. Within his lifetime Roy met and married his first wife, Carole, and they had seven children together while living in Minnesota. He is survived by his children, Michelle (Patrick) Courneya (St. Paul, MN), Joan Kennedy (St. Paul Park, MN), Sharon (David Hanners) Jernigan (Manchester, England), Roy (Patricia) Bower-Jernigan (Eagan, MN), Caroline Jones (Eagan, MN), David (Heather) Jernigan (West St. Paul, MN), Laura (Robert) Menne (Cottage Grove, MN); 18 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Roy was proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, relishing each moment he was able to spend with them. Upon relocating to Pueblo, Colorado in 1985, he lived with Pamela (Robert Goldie) White and daughter Laura. During which time, Roy grew to appreciate the grace in his life, recognizing his fortune as "Jernigan's luck". "Jernigan's luck" then brought Roy to as he described "one of the best things that ever happened to him", Terry. Terry and Roy were married on January 27, 1996, and combined families with her four children, Kerrie (Steve) Dieringer (North Richland Hills, TX), Kurt Avery (Grand Junction, CO), Craig (Charlene) Avery (Denver, CO) and Corrine (Ben) Keller (Burleson, TX). Roy was a loving stepdad to Craig and Corrine who cherished their relationship with him over the years. Terry and Roy lived together in Pueblo for 19 years, during which they rescued their dog, Jasmine, who was a loving member of the family until February of 2022. Roy loved living in Pueblo and would open the blinds each day by saying "Another beautiful day in Pueblo, Colorado". In 2016, Terry & Roy relocated to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, where they continued to enjoy retirement together, spending time with many special friends in their retirement communities, playing cards, dancing, and golfing. Roy continued to charm, bringing laughter to everyone he met well into his final days. He always had a smile, a joke or funny story to share. Roy was an avid fisher and golfer; sharing his hobbies on many trips to Minnesota with his children, grandchildren and his friends Jack Lamuth and Jack Schwartz with whom he spent 30 years fishing at Elbow Lake. He made it a priority to have fun in every moment he could, and his good-natured spirit will be incredibly missed by those who knew & loved him. In lieu of a service, invite a friend to lunch, laugh, love and enjoy the stories of your lifetime.
Published by Pioneer Press on Sep. 3, 2022.
