Jerry Ray Eley

Jerry Ray Eley (November 9, 1951-March 21, 2026) was a kind, thoughtful, and inquisitive man who found joy in the small, everyday things and shared that joy with the people around him. He lit up over the little things: hunting for just the right marble, collecting different seeds from trees, spotting elephants and dragons anywhere he could, getting lost in science fiction, savoring a good cup of tea, crafting wooden spoons, and hunting for treasures at garage sales and thrift stores. He spent 22 years in concrete construction with an artistic propensity to create with any materials available. He served as a nurse for twenty‑three years, dedicating himself to patient care with compassion and steady curiosity. He loved classic rock and talk radio, and he had a mischievous streak that made family gatherings warmer and funnier.

He was preceded in death by his father Gerald and his mother Laura. He is survived by his daughter Ruth and her husband Nathan; granddaughters Taylor and Michelle; great‑granddaughter Luna; his son Jerry and his wife Kristan and grandchildren Michael, Jerry, Jaxon, and Abby; his daughter Lily and her husband Spencer; his brother Gary and his wife Kenyan; and his sister Vickie, her husband Mark, many nieces and nephews, and his partner, Deana.

He will be remembered for the warmth of his smile, the patience he offered in small moments, and the way he made ordinary days feel special.