Gray Jernigan Obituary

Gray DeVoe Jernigan won his battle to leave us with indelible memories of love and peace April 13, 2023 after a wonderful day and almost 34 years together with his wife, Claudia. His body may have been broken but his spirit never wavered. He told one friend this cancer hadn't been so bad. Yet by all our standards, he suffered indignities that would have rendered most of us forever bitter and sad. That same spirit has deeply touched those of us who love him and some who only knew him briefly. We are an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. Three hospice nurses were in tears to hear he was gone and they had only known him two months. He always said he was a Georgia native even though he was born a baby groundhog on February 2, 1947 at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, officially Shreveport. The military family moved to Tyndall AFB, Florida, and ultimately to the Atlanta area when Gray was six. He tells stories of his beautiful mother who taught him the love of cooking. His father was a tough military man who instilled the importance of "not doing anything to tarnish the Jernigan family name" in all six kids. Gray served in the Navy on board the aircraft carrier, The Yorktown from 1968 to 73, travelling the world, returning to Atlanta to stay. He told a Navy story about being on the upper deck one dark night somewhere near Greenland and the Northern lights were blinding. Yet he and his buddies couldn't see their hands in front of them. Suddenly, a deep voice boomed "You are not alone" and none of the men said it was one of them. In Atlanta he earned a degree from Georgia State University in Urban Planning. Every frequent time we got into bad traffic there was a comment about how if the city had hired him, he could have solved all those stupid problems. He went on to work 15 years in the construction industry - even on the restoration of The Parthenon in Nashville, enjoying every minute of the labor and work. He met his one love, Claudia, on a blind date she refused four times. His first word to her was "WOW". . . and his last, all these years later were "Don't worry about me baby - it will all be okay. " They were a perfect match, proven by the fact that she donated a kidney when he needed it in 2016, extending his life another six and a half years. Gray was often a man of few words except when he was telling stories, demonstrating, or offering life lessons, among them: *Always wear a helmet, sometimes even when you're not on a Harley. *Always overtip - especially the bartender. *Hard work is never hard if you love it. *Take a nap whenever it feels good, even if you have company, but excuse yourself. *Cook for a family of 8 even if you are only two. *Treat every person with respect unless they don't deserve it. *You can be an uncle to the world, not just your immediate family. *Be joyful about having lived a full life, rather than sad about having to die. Gray loved cooking, Martha Stewart, all birds, most cats and dogs, the outdoors, full moons, family and Claudia, not always in that order. He was a gentleman and a quiet fighter, resilient and accepting of most situations he encountered every minute he was alive. One time, a crazy driver sped up in front of the car on a residential street, got out and started walking toward him. Gray just exited his car, smiled, even when the guy called him "old man", explained why he was driving slowly, and they eventually shook hands. Long live the respect he showed for others and the joy he felt for life. There will never be another Gray DeVoe Jernigan. Gray is survived by his wife, Claudia Ward Jernigan, his sister, Anne Richter of Cairo, GA, brother, Richard Jernigan of Forsyth, GA, his much loved nieces Julie Hayne, Jan & Lynn Wilson, Leigh Bickford, Meridith Redrupp, Karen Abbott, Lily Jernigan, Joy Bragg and Leigh Roberts; and nephews Chris, Rich and Lukas Jernigan, and their spouses and children, all of whom so loved Uncle Gray, helping him when they could, giving back what he has given them through the years. He is now laughing with his mother, Virginia, father, Richard, his beautiful, opinionated twin sisters Marty and Mary, his younger, musically talented guitar-playing brother, Brantley, and Keith Abbott, his tough young Marine nephew. In Gray's memory, he would want you to spend every day finding joy and caring about at least one random person. And not to meet a stranger. You may also give to the animal shelter of your choice or his, Lifelineanimal. org. tribute-gifts/ and please mention it's for Gray. If you choose to mail a remembrance it's PO Box 15466, Atlanta 30333. Friends can visit with Gray's family at The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant (www. the57threstaurant. com) on Saturday, May 6, 2023 between 2-5 to celebrate his life (informal program at 3), tell stories and marvel at his legacy. Directions, & info: Details on both the event Facebook link and the Patterson's Funeral Home link www. hmpattersonoglethorpe. com.