Jerry and I grew up together "on the block" at Washington and Yale in College Park just across the railroad tracks from the A&P--as kids we played together along with his brother Stan. I encouraged Jerry to go out for Little League at Peter Pan Park where we both played for the Braves. He was a good player and, while he went to Neely Elementary and I went to S.R. Young , we found lots of time to play ball together, shoot BB guns, and, of course, walk to practice or games at PP Park. Jerry was always good about volunteering to walk to Croker Brothers Food Store with me to buy groceries for my family because my mother did not drive and I was the between Saturdays shopper for those little things that a household needs during the week. A good friend--I was crushed when Stan called me to inform me of Jerry's death-Lynn and I hurried to Carmicheal's in East Point to view the body and devote some time to my longtime friendship with Jerry. RIP Jerry
I knew Jerry from Little League baseball at Peter Pan Park in 1958 and 1959We did not become good friends until our sophmore year, when we moved into a house on E. John Wesley across the street from Marilyn Sims-class of '65 and only a few blocks from Jerry's house. We would walk to and from C.P.H.S. almost everyday, occasionally stopping at the soda fountain on main street. I remember countless days watching Television at his house and the three of us shooting 8-ball on David Shirley's pool table. When we turned sixteen, Jerry's first car was a green 1955 Ford two door with a 3 speed on the column. So many things come to mind when I think of Jerry's driving, like chasing a volkswagen through Newton Estates (driven by Mike Fly??) in Jerry's Father's 1959 Ford---trips to Cochrans Mill---rabbit hunting on Hwy 92, between Fairburn and Fayetteville, with a .22 rifle from the back seat of Terry Moye's parents Ford Falcon---occasionally driving Randy Hadaway around on Saturday nights, after he had gotten off work at Crocker Brothers Store with mischief in mind---and double dating good thing cars can't talk--huh Jerry. There ar countless other memories of Jerry during our last three years at C.P.H.S.
In 1965 Jerry and I decided to each buy a Pontiac G.T.O. We went to Boomershine Pontiac located on Spring Street in Atlanta and looked at the G.T.Os. The one I wanted had to be special ordered--so I ordered it. After my name was on the dotted line, Jerry had second thoughts and wanted to wait a week or so. He bought a 1965 green Volkswagen Beetle about two weeks later.
Rather than be drafted, like I was in December 1965, in early 1966 Jerry joined the army and was able to go to missle school at Redstone Arsnal Alabama. Jerry did well and after his training was complete stayed on there as an instructor for his entire tour of duty. At Redstone Arsnal, he met a previously married lady that had two small children and they were married.
Jerry was discharged about a year after I was, and came by with his family to visit my wife (Melba) and me. We made a lot of get together plans for the next several months. In a few weeks, I got a phone call from Jerry's mother telling me that he had been killed an auto accident while driving his volkswagen. His wife and children were not seriously injured. His funeral services were held At Carmichael Funeral Home in East Point and he was laid to rest in Westview Cemetary. Rest In Peace Jerry, you were always a great friend and classmate and are truly missed.
I met Jerry the first day of school in the first grade at Benjamin H. Neely Elementary School. If I remember correctly, his hair was as white as mine at that time.
I will share a story about the two of us that I have told many, many times to my children and grandchildren: One day in the second grade and for reasons I can't remember, several of Ms Comstock's students were "asked" to stay after school. She had to leave the classroom for a few minutes, and her perfect students became lively. So lively were the students, that when Jerry began kissing the girls, I climbed out a window and walked home! I remember receiving a kiss from Jerry on my ear of all places! I was "Miss Slick" because I was at home. This feeling lasted until out of our window I saw Ms Comstock walking straight to our house. "Miss Slick" quickly changed to " Miss Scared" as I went to our basement to hide during her visit.
Two things learned from this:
1. Never climb out of a window.
2. When a boy as cute as Jerry Whitehead was wants to kiss you, by all means, let him!!
Rest in peace, my friend. A girl always remembers her first kiss!
Les Wilson (1964)
Jerry and I grew up together "on the block" at Washington and Yale in College Park just across the railroad tracks from the A&P--as kids we played together along with his brother Stan. I encouraged Jerry to go out for Little League at Peter Pan Park where we both played for the Braves. He was a good player and, while he went to Neely Elementary and I went to S.R. Young , we found lots of time to play ball together, shoot BB guns, and, of course, walk to practice or games at PP Park. Jerry was always good about volunteering to walk to Croker Brothers Food Store with me to buy groceries for my family because my mother did not drive and I was the between Saturdays shopper for those little things that a household needs during the week. A good friend--I was crushed when Stan called me to inform me of Jerry's death-Lynn and I hurried to Carmicheal's in East Point to view the body and devote some time to my longtime friendship with Jerry. RIP Jerry
Felton Lamar Taylor (1964)
Felton TaylorI knew Jerry from Little League baseball at Peter Pan Park in 1958 and 1959We did not become good friends until our sophmore year, when we moved into a house on E. John Wesley across the street from Marilyn Sims-class of '65 and only a few blocks from Jerry's house. We would walk to and from C.P.H.S. almost everyday, occasionally stopping at the soda fountain on main street. I remember countless days watching Television at his house and the three of us shooting 8-ball on David Shirley's pool table. When we turned sixteen, Jerry's first car was a green 1955 Ford two door with a 3 speed on the column. So many things come to mind when I think of Jerry's driving, like chasing a volkswagen through Newton Estates (driven by Mike Fly??) in Jerry's Father's 1959 Ford---trips to Cochrans Mill---rabbit hunting on Hwy 92, between Fairburn and Fayetteville, with a .22 rifle from the back seat of Terry Moye's parents Ford Falcon---occasionally driving Randy Hadaway around on Saturday nights, after he had gotten off work at Crocker Brothers Store with mischief in mind---and double dating good thing cars can't talk--huh Jerry. There ar countless other memories of Jerry during our last three years at C.P.H.S.
In 1965 Jerry and I decided to each buy a Pontiac G.T.O. We went to Boomershine Pontiac located on Spring Street in Atlanta and looked at the G.T.Os. The one I wanted had to be special ordered--so I ordered it. After my name was on the dotted line, Jerry had second thoughts and wanted to wait a week or so. He bought a 1965 green Volkswagen Beetle about two weeks later.
Rather than be drafted, like I was in December 1965, in early 1966 Jerry joined the army and was able to go to missle school at Redstone Arsnal Alabama. Jerry did well and after his training was complete stayed on there as an instructor for his entire tour of duty. At Redstone Arsnal, he met a previously married lady that had two small children and they were married.
Jerry was discharged about a year after I was, and came by with his family to visit my wife (Melba) and me. We made a lot of get together plans for the next several months. In a few weeks, I got a phone call from Jerry's mother telling me that he had been killed an auto accident while driving his volkswagen. His wife and children were not seriously injured. His funeral services were held At Carmichael Funeral Home in East Point and he was laid to rest in Westview Cemetary. Rest In Peace Jerry, you were always a great friend and classmate and are truly missed.
Felton
Bonnie Shirey (Stewart) (1964)
I met Jerry the first day of school in the first grade at Benjamin H. Neely Elementary School. If I remember correctly, his hair was as white as mine at that time.
I will share a story about the two of us that I have told many, many times to my children and grandchildren: One day in the second grade and for reasons I can't remember, several of Ms Comstock's students were "asked" to stay after school. She had to leave the classroom for a few minutes, and her perfect students became lively. So lively were the students, that when Jerry began kissing the girls, I climbed out a window and walked home! I remember receiving a kiss from Jerry on my ear of all places! I was "Miss Slick" because I was at home. This feeling lasted until out of our window I saw Ms Comstock walking straight to our house. "Miss Slick" quickly changed to " Miss Scared" as I went to our basement to hide during her visit.
Two things learned from this:
1. Never climb out of a window.
2. When a boy as cute as Jerry Whitehead was wants to kiss you, by all means, let him!!
Rest in peace, my friend. A girl always remembers her first kiss!
David Stanley Cheek (1964)
Soft spoken,smiling,friendly.