Jerry Hallam

Jerry Ray Hallam, on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 3:23 p.m., surrounded by his family, went to join his Saviour, Jesus Christ, in Heaven and is no longer suffering. Jerry was born on January 20, 1942 to Wendell Mayes Hallam and Ruth Imogene Alsop Hallam in Bugtown, Indiana. Jerry grew up in the New Harmony, Indiana area before moving to Henderson, KY, then to Owensboro. He spent the first five years of his life with his beloved grandparents, Cortland and Juna Alsop and his summers with them thereafter.

Jerry married his first love, Carolyn Barnett on April 30, 1963. Together they worked in the Cub Scout/Boy Scouts where Jerry received the District Award of Merit. He served as Cubmaster for Pack 612 of Sutherland for 10 years. He also served with Troop 67 as assistant Scoutmaster. He served as Activities Chairman for the Shawnee District Cub Scout Program.

Jerry and Carolyn were instrumental in helping to bring t-ball to Daviess County and organizing the Daviess county T-ball League, also writing the first two sets of league rules. He served as president/vice-president for eight years. Jerry coached t-ball for seven years and they won league championship for three years and was runner-up for two years. He also coached girls softball for two years. Together Jerry and Carolyn owned C and J Woodworks, C-J Distributors and Pepperidge Farm Cookie and Cracker Franchise. Jerry also worked at Medley's, where he was an over the road driver of an 18-wheeler.

Jerry started working at Yellow Creek Park in 1999. He loved the park and the people who regularly came there. People would refer to him as Mr. Yellow Creek and he loved it, as though it were his park. Even when he wasn't working, he was always checking on things to make sure everything was okay.

Jerry and Carolyn became foster parents in 1996. During this time, they were named Foster Adoptive Parents of the Year for the Daviess-Hancock Association. During their marriage, they raised or helped raise 54 children. Jerry loved his church family at Yellow Creek Baptist Church where he served in various positions. He loved going on Young at Heart trips, helping in the church's food pantry and helping with the children and youth. He also helped in various ways at Sutherland and East View Elementary Schools. At East View Elementary he was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Jerry was preceded in death by his daughter, Tamara Hallam in 1990, his parents Wendell and Imogene Hallam, and his beloved grandparents, Cortland and Juna Alsop.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn B. Hallam; sons, Keith Hallam (Eileen) of Owensboro, Isaac Hallam of Lexington, and Jerry Daniel "J.D." Hallam of Owensboro; daughters, Tonya Hallam of Evansville, Mary Higginbotham (Dayne) of Owensboro, Felicia Hallam, Brittany Hallam, and Nicole Hallam (fiance, Ethan Midkiff), all of Owensboro; grandchildren, Stormie Woodrum (Jay), Keith Hallam II (Ashley), Tami Hamilton (Brandon), Parker and Tate Higginbotham, Zayden Shock, and Joshua Hallam; great-grandchildren, Cole Hallam, Caine Michael Woodrum, Keira Woodrum, and Eowyn Hallam; brothers, Paul Hallam (Hallie) of Maceo and Richard Hallam of Owensboro; sisters, Betty Parks (Terry) of Owensboro and Jenny Carman (Lloyd) of Philpot.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2018 at Yellow Creek Baptist Church, 5741 Highway 144, Owensboro, KY. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation is from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday at James H. Davis Funeral Home & Crematory.

Please make memorial contributions to the Food Pantry or Children/Youth Camp Programs, Yellow Creek Baptist Church , 5741 Highway 144, Owensboro, KY 42303.

A special thank you to those who gave loving care and friendship to Jerry and his family at Signature Healthcare at Hillcrest. May God bless each of you.