Dr. Jerry Wesson, 85, died in Longview, Texas, on April 20, 2026. He was born in Sulphur Springs, Texas, on June 20, 1940, to Effie Mae Adams Wesson and William Covie Wesson.
In 1961, he married Barbara Ann Wasson of Wolfe City, Texas.
They were married for 64 years.
Jerry devoted thirty-five years to higher education, including leadership roles at El Centro College and Northeast Texas Community College, where he retired in 1997 as Vice President of Student Services. He later served for two years as a Municipal Judge in Mount Pleasant.
During the 41 years he lived in Mount Pleasant, Jerry was active in civic and church life. He served as president of the Rotary Club, was named a Paul Harris Fellow, and was recognized as Rotarian of the Year. He was also deeply involved at Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church as a lay speaker, Administrative Board chair, and longtime Sunday school teacher.
Jerry loved reading, fishing, cooking, history, and time with his family.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; his son, Randall Scott Wesson, and daughter-in-law, Karin; four grandchildren, Kelsey Wesson Collier, Allison Wesson Leino, Jacob Wesson, and Jenna Wesson Rodriguez; and four great-grandchildren, Aaron Collier, Levi Collier, Charles Wesson, and Addison Wesson; and his sister, Ada Jones of Plano, Texas.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm at Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant. Following the memorial, A short graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 4:00PM at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Wolfe City, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Dr. Jerry Wesson Honors Scholarship at Northeast Texas Community College or to Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, Texas.