Jerye Kristofferson, Jr.

Kristofferson, Jerye Arlen Sr.
Ocala – Jerye Arlen Kristofferson Sr. , 82, passed away on September 20, 2015. He was born in Jacksonville, FL on September 3, 1933 to Edward and Oma Kristofferson. He graduated from Andrew Jackson Sr. High School in 1951.  Upon graduation, Jerye enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served on the U.S.S. Midway as plane captain and ship bugler during the Korean War.  He met the love of his life, Loretta Brite, at a Sadie Hawkin’s Dance in 1953 in Portsmouth, VA.  They married in 1956 and moved back to Jacksonville, Fl.  A few years later they moved to Savannah, GA where he began working as a shoe store manager for Tots and Teens Shoes.  Jerye and his wife had 3 children and then moved to Ocala, Fl in 1965.  He opened his own shoe store, Jerye’s Shoes, on Silver Springs Boulevard, where he specialized in children’s orthopedic shoes.  When the store closed years later, he began selling life insurance and was a million dollar seller for many years. After he retired, he became a security guard for many local businesses until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007.Jerye was a founding member of Trinity Baptist Church, working with Pastor Ted Burrell on the Sunday morning TV program “Invitation to Life”.  He also served as deacon and usher and was a member until his death.  Having been an Eagle Scout as a boy, he decided to start his own troop.  Jerye’s Shoes sponsored Troop 450 for many years.  During that time as Scout Master he was proud to be making a difference in the lives of young men.   They were one of the best troops in Marion County in the 1970’s. With a passion for patriotism and the flag, in 1990 Jerye staged a one man march down the center of Silver Springs Boulevard to the Square carrying the American flag on July 4th.  This continued for many years, growing to add many more marchers and flags. During this time, he also formed the American Patriots Corporation and went into schools to teach students the importance and history of the flag.  Jerye’s favorite claim to fame was being related to Kris Kristofferson and getting to meet him in 1989. Jerye was a man that never met a person he didn’t like, always  willing to help those in need.  He was a jokester, forever making people laugh and even roll their eyes.  Whatever he was doing, he always put his whole heart into it.  You hardly ever saw him without his Gator hat on and he never missed an opportunity to exchange banter with an opposing fan, including his own daughter who is a Georgia Bulldog fan.  The Florida/Georgia  game was always interesting in their house.
Above all else, Jerye’s greatest joy was being a husband, father, and Papa to his family.  He was a Godly man that loved the Lord and we know that he is with Him today. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Karl Kristofferson, his only son; Jerye Arlen Kristofferson Jr and his wife of 58 years Loretta Brite Kristofferson. He is survived by his loving daughters, Denise (Dave) Wall, Ocala, Brenda Kristofferson; St. Petersburg, granddaughter Marie (Chaz) Fish, Ocala, his grandson Clinton Bell, Ocala, three great granddaughters Savannah, Teagan and Annabelle Fish and his nephew Paul Kristofferson of Clermont, Fl.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 pm, Friday, September 25, 2015 at Trinity Baptist Church, 1600 SE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL, with Pastor Richard Sego officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Highland Memorial Park.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's association or Trinity Baptist Church Ocala, Fl.