Jerome Earl "Jerry" Marchman

Jerome Earl "Jerry" Marchman, 79, of Graham, died peacefully Feb. 6, 2009 in Graham. A devoted husband and father, Jerry was much loved by his family and friends and is sorely missed. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Graham. Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

Jerry was born Aug. 27, 1929, in Graham and grew up there while also spending much of his childhood with his maternal grandparents in Oklahoma. He graduated from Graham High School in 1946 and attended John Tarleton Agricultural College (now Tarleton State University) in Stephenville, where he met his future wife, Sammye Lee Smith of Bryson. Jerry also attended Texas A&M University for a year. He and Sammye were married on July 22, 1950, in the chapel of the First Baptist Church in Graham. After they were married, Jerry and Sammye moved to Alpine in September 1950 where Jerry enrolled at Sul Ross State College, graduating in May 1951 with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural science. They moved back to Graham in 1952 after Jerry worked briefly for the Soil Conservation Service in Terrell. Jerry went to work in the oil and gas business with his father, E.R. "Gene" Marchman, and then later owned and operated leases as J.E. Marchman Co. and Monarch Operating Co. He never officially retired, keeping track of his businesses up to the end.

Jerry also was involved in numerous civic activities. He served on the Graham ISD school board from 1968 to 1970 and served for 11 years (nine as president) on the Fort Belknap Water Supply Corp. Board of Directors. He was a member of the Lions Club for 10 years and also was a member of the Graham Chamber of Commerce. Jerry was a Cub Scout leader and Little League umpire while his sons were involved in those activities. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church and sang for several years with the Genesis Choir.

Jerry was preceded in death by Sammye, who passed away 10 weeks earlier; his parents, E.R. and Zeola (Rexford) Marchman; and a sister, Mary Eloise Marchman. He is survived by his four children, Randolph Eugene Marchman and his wife, Carolyn Gillentine Marchman, of Olathe, Kan.; Leonard Renfro Marchman of Grand Prairie; David Earl Marchman and his wife, Lina Oller Marchman, of Austin; and daughter Judy Lee Marchman of Austin, as well as his sisters, Annette (Marchman) Snodell Cohen of Denver, Colo. and Ella Gene (Marchman) Hamilton and her husband, James Hamilton, of Graham. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Paul Evan Marchman and his wife, Amy Nelson Marchman, of Shawnee, Kan.; Eric Neal Marchman and his wife, Melissa Edmondson Marchman, of Garland; Ryan Eliot Marchman of Olathe, Kan.; Jeremy Robert Marchman of Grand Prairie; Portia Nicole Marchman of Austin; and Caitlin Breanne Marchman of Arlington; and two great-grandchildren, Rhianna Avril Marchman and Scarlett Beverly Marchman of Shawnee, Kan.

The family gratefully acknowledges the staff and caregivers at Merrill Gardens who gladly endured his special brand of affectionate teasing and provided him with devoted care and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cal Farley's Boy Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174; www.calfarley.org; or to the charity of your choice.