Gerald "Jerry" Wilson

Gerald “Jerry” Newman Wilson of Trussville, Alabama passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Born January 3, 1941, “a war baby”, as he often stated, as the first-born son of Era Beatrice (Anderson) and Norman “Red” Newman Wilson. Survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Carolyn (Drummond); daughter, Rachel (David) Wallace; sister, Linda (Phillip) Pohlman; brother, Daniel Wilson; and countless friends and extended family members, including many nieces and nephews who considered him as a second father. Predeceased by his parents and his brother, Norman Wilson. He was a proud graduate of Hewitt-Trussville High School, a life-long resident and historical buff of Trussville. He honorably served in the Alabama National Guard.

He was an avid reader from the moment he learned how to turn the page as a child. He was a salesman at heart, peddling his wares from an early age, mastering his ability to work a deal with whatever he had on hand. He was an incredible artist, with an indelible knack for seeing God in all the details and leaving the devil out of it. Born into a generation with far less opportunities than can be imagined today, Jerry turned his life into his very own blank canvas and over the years created a personal, extraordinary story, delicately and purposefully adding pages along the way with characters and landscapes he brought to life. He recently penned and published “A Collection of Life Stories” to reflect on the highlights of his life. He took us on a journey with a Tom Sawyer-esque touch - with a semblance of Archie Bunker writing from his recliner. He could be gruff and cantankerous but not without added notes of affection served with a twinkle in his eye and a quick wink. His abrasiveness brought out the best in us, inevitably making you feel good in his presence.

His wife, siblings, parents, grandparents, and others became the superheroes in his story, with his uncanny ability to bring characters to life. Seeing the best but accentuating flaws because as an artist, he knew it is exactly what sets each of us apart. He added color, depth, shape and texture to every white space he came across, created balance and contrast to an otherwise empty easel. He inserted humor, wit, and never-ending wisecracks. His palette was a full spectrum of just the right mixtures for that “Jeb” touch.

He loved God, his wife, his family, Alabama Football, Westerns, the 4th of July, fishing, baseball caps, the community of Vann Valley, and holding court at family functions. He loved a good meal and cherished those who brought it to the table. He appreciated the little things in life because he knew first-hand of when times were tough. He revered all relationships he had throughout his life, and you can rest assured he had vivid, pivotal memories of each tucked away in his mind, if not forever immortalized in his collection of lifetime stories. “The good Lord dropped me off in a good time to live for I have seen a lot of things in my lifetime.” How lucky are we to have been dropped off at the same time as “Gerald, Jerry, Jeb, Uncle J, just don’t call me Ray”?

He was uniquely exceptional. He was incredibly special. He will be forever missed.

Arrangements are as follows:

Visitation, Friday, December 5 at 11:00

Memorial Service, Friday, December 5 at 12:00

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Big Oak Ranch:

BIG OAK RANCH, Business Office 6000 Shelley Drive Springville, AL 35146