Gerald Joe Tefft, Jr.

Gerald “Jerry” Joe Tefft, Jr., 55, of Statenville, passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at his home after a battle with cancer. He was born on June 24, 1962, in Glendale, California to Kay Tefft and the late Gerald Joe Tefft, Sr. While growing up, Jerry lived in Washington, Florida, Texas, and Arizona. After graduating from Cholla High School in Tucson, Arizona, Jerry enlisted in the United States Air Force. He came to Moody Air Force Base in 1982. In 1984, he married his wife, Sylvia Staten Tefft, and moved to Statenville. He served for 20 ½ years in the USAF before retiring. After his military retirement, he worked as plant manager for the Statenville Water System. Jerry was a Master Mason in Good Standing and a member of Alapaha Lodge #209. Jerry was a Christian and a member of Perimeter Road Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Sylvia Staten Tefft; his son, Daniel Tefft; and his mother, Kay Tefft, all of Statenville; three sisters, Mary Compton and husband Kelly of Arlington, Texas, Jackie Moore and husband Rick of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Judy Brown and husband Kelly of Kernersville, North Carolina; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Laverne and Franklin Staten, brother-in-law Greg Staten and wife Suzan, all of Statenville; and several nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Gerald J. Tefft, Sr.; infant brother, Ronnie Tefft; and sister, Sherry Tefft.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at Perimeter Road Baptist Church in Valdosta with Pastor Brian Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Statenville Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends at Perimeter Road Baptist Church on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Donations may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, P. O. Box 1727, Valdosta, GA 31603. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.