Obituary of Jerry Dabbs

JERRY VAUGHN DABBS Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ presented H.V. and Birdie Dabbs the playbook of life to instruct their children. Jerry’s adventurous journey began April 16, 1958. Blessed with a 9 lb. bundle of joy, they knew he was destined to succeed in the game of life. Jerry was baptized at the age of 10 at Morning Chapel Baptist Church by Rev.C.C.Wright. He participated in the Sunshine Band under the guidance of Sis. Mary Ross. The race before him would be filled with events of wonder, surprise and some disappointments also. Nonetheless, he tackled each task diligently. Jerry accomplished insurmountable odds and reached immeasurable milestones. As a gifted athlete, he earned numerous honors such as Most Valuable Player 1976, AII- District 3AAA Lineman, Sulphur Springs High School Hall of Fame, Top Ten All State Lineman, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazin~Top Recruiting Prospects of 1976 and 23 scholarship offers. Academic achievements included A-B Honor Roll, Cat’s Paw Yearbook Staff, Art Club and Journalism Club. He was well-like by his peers and received Class Favorite honors, Best All Around, and Most Athletic in his senior year. Jerry’s formal education began with Ms. Laurice’s Kinder Day School. He attended Fredrick Douglas and Houston Elementary, Sulphur Springs Junior High and Sulphur Springs High School. By the grace of God, he overcame a traumatic football injury and returned to complete his senior year. Jerry attended East Texas State University majoring in Guidance and Counseling until the second semester of his senior year. From the early age of nine years old, Jerry’s chosen profession was destined to be Construction Engineering as demonstrated before him by his Father; H.V. Jerry assisted his Dad in creating D & D Construction. He encountered every circumstance, challenge and situation in his personal and professional life with integrity, humility and sincerity. Each relationship fonned from job to job produced lasting friendships. Jerry, as Head Coach, began developing his Life Team as he married Debra Kay Jose on August 31, 1979. They were blessed with a daughter, Jerrika Rene. His second marriage to Jeanine Blackaby in 1993, added more teammates, Bryan Rey and Jerrin Vaughn. Clearly, his team was a few players short of the required 11 to meet the requirements for the game. Daughter Jerrika added three new members to the squad; Khavon, Khalob and Jhalyiaha. Daughter Marcia added Sean and Megan Dial. Now the team is complete! Inspiring to have a more secure bench, nephews John “Toby” and Jonas “EinsteinlS Davis support him as Defensive Coordinators ... Jerry’s Christian journey is now complete all plays have been instructed and executed. The game has been won! Now he has received the most prestigious and victorious award of all; safely in the presence of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday night, Aug. 30, at West Oaks Funeral Home. A candlelight vigil will be held Friday night at Buford Park immediately following the football game. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park. Jerry leaves on this side, wife Debra K. Dabbs and daughter Jerrika Dabbs-Wilkins of Sulphur Springs, TX, Jeanine Johnson and sons Jerrin Vaughn Dabbs of California, MD, and Bryan Rey Blackaby of Hampton, VA. Sister, Vickie (John) Davis Sr. of Corpus Christi, TX, nephews, John Davis Jr. and Jonas V. Davis of Corpus Christi, TX. Three aunts, Ollie (Joe) Montgomery of Ft. Worth, TX, Betty (Roy) Johnson of Arlington, TX, and Esterlene Hines of Vernon, TX, God Sister, Jackie Rutherford of Sulphur Springs, TX, Sisters in Christ, Rowena Johnson, Barbara Dial and Annie Wade-Pitts, and numerous loved and devoted cousins and friends. His final task was fulfilled early Monday morning, ending in a victorious win and expressions of great joy as he completed his final game. Jerry’s Christian journey is now complete all plays have been instructed and executed. The game has been won! Now he has received the most prestigious and vigorious award of all; safely in the presence of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.