Jerry Ladelle Sessions was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on February 25, 1933. He unexpectedly passed from this life into eternity to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on June 18, 2010. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and friend to many. He was and remains much loved, and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Jerry attended Emory University and the University of Alabama, where he was an active member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Biology. He later completed the work required for a Masters of Arts in Microbiology. After college, Jerry entered the United States Air Force, and was first stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where he met Betty, the love of his life. They married on July 18, 1959, and were shortly stationed at Johnson Air Base, Japan. Jerry and Betty were subsequently assigned to the USAF space program in California, where he served on the committee that transitioned the program from the Air Force to NASA.

Jerry later served with distinction in the Viet Nam War as the Province Psychological Advisor in the Joint U. S. Public Affairs Offices, Quang Nai Provice, in the Republic of Viet Nam, for which the Republic of Viet Nam awarded him its Medal of Valor. He was ultimately awarded 13 medals, including two of the highest medals for commendation and valor awarded by the United States to its servicemen who return from war. Upon completing his tour of duty in Viet Nam, Jerry was transferred to the Pentagon, in Washington D. C., where he served as a Staff Scientist for the U. S. Air Force Directorate of Armament before being chosen as the U. S. Air Force representative to NATO in chemical warfare defense. He retired from the U. S. Air Force with an Honorable Discharge after 20 years of distinguished service.

Jerry entered the private sector, first as a Program Manager for Honeywell, Inc., and then with Brunswick, Inc. when that company purchased the department from Honeywell in which he worked. He subsequently quit his position at Brunswick to join Tex-Shield, Inc., as its Vice-President of Marketing, in which capacity he marketed chemical warfare defense suits to all branches of the U. S. military and American allies throughout the world. He was proud to provide the finest chemical warfare defense suit in the world to our military branches and their allies, and there is no question that he directly or indirectly contributed to saving the lives of many of our servicemen through his efforts in this regard.

Jerry was also one of the most fun, gregarious, and generous individuals a person could hope to meet. He was a three-letter athlete in high school, and, as the team's halfback, was known for preferring to run the ball barefoot in games because he felt he could run faster without shoes. He and Betty won numerous jitterbug contests while dating, and loved to have people over for backyard barbecues. Jerry was a die-hard fan of the Crimson Tide, and looked forward to their winning another National Championship this year, he and Betty traveled the world over, and contributed to numerous charities throughout his life.

Jerry helped many, many individuals without ever calling attention to any such action on his part. Most importantly, Jerry became a born-again Christian by accepting God's gift to mankind in the form of the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ. Because he did so, he and his entire family know, without question, that he has received his reward and is in heaven for eternity. He ran the good race, and finished strong. In doing so, he set an example for his family and everyone who knew him. His family deeply feels their loss, but looks forward with great anticipation to the day that each member can finally join him, and be with him again. No one can possibly have loved life and people, or been loved more than Jerry.

Jerry is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Betty McMillan Sessions; loving sons, Jerry Ladelle Sessions, II, Gregory Allen Sessions (Gabrielle), Geoffrey David Sessions (Marcy); adored grandchildren, Jacob McMillan Sessions and Julia Rose Sessions; a very close sister, Sandra Wilmot (Roger); a very close Aunt, Claudia Royal; and numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Homer Ladelle Sessions and Alene Sessions.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Funeral Services will be celebrated on Thursday, June 24, 2010, at 2:00 p. m. at Lohman Funeral Home in Ormond Beach, Florida. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 23rd, between the hours of 6:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. Interment with military honors will be held at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, Marianna, Florida, on Saturday, June 26, 2010, at 1:00 p. m. CST.

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