Gerald "Jerry" Thomas, Jr.

Gerald “Jerry” Thomas, Jr., age 61, a resident of rural Portland, passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023.

Jerry was born on April 1, 1962, in Portland, Indiana, the son of Gerald Thomas, Sr. and Joyce (Fields) Thomas.  He graduated from Jay County High School in 1980 and retired from Jay County Highway Department in 2019 after 30 years of service.  Jerry married Penny Smith on October 6, 1984.

Survivors include:

His wife of 38 years:  Penny Thomas – rural Portland, Indiana

His mother:  Joyce Thomas – Portland, Indiana

Children:  Jessica Reitenour (Adam) – Portland, Indiana

Jeanette Garlinger (Kyle) – Portland, Indiana

Siblings:  Cheryl Thomas (Alice Nolley) – Decatur, Indiana

Brian Thomas (Tina Rodgers) – Gaston, Indiana

Brother-in-law:  Ron Smith (Linda) – Bluffton, Indiana

Sisters-in-law:  Laura Coleman (Randy) – Pennville, Indiana

Brenda McVicker (Jeff) – Marion, Indiana

4 grandchildren:  Maddi Reitenour, Alylah Garlinger, Hudson Bullock Thomas and Grayson Holdstock.

Several nieces and nephews

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland.  Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland.  Burial will follow at Brookside Cemetery in Montpelier.

Memorials may be directed towards Jay County Law Enforcement Youth Camp.