Jerry Eugene Conn

Jerry Eugene Conn, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, passed away August 8, 2026, in Franklin, Texas, at the age of 92. Born February 16, 1934, in Childress, Texas, Jerry lived a life marked by devotion to his family, hard work, and deep faith in God.

Jerry was the oldest child of Merrell H. Conn and Ruby Nell Merritt Conn, growing up in Tell, Texas and graduating from Childress High School. On August 12, 1955, Jerry married Carolyn Juanita Cawthon, beginning a union spanning almost 71 years. Together, Jerry and Carolyn built a loving family and Christ-centered home, steadfastly supporting each other through every season of life.

Jerry was the proud father of Jerry Conn, Jr, Gary Conn (wife Lisa), Terry Conn (wife Margaret), and Larry Conn (wife Sherrie). His legacy lives on through his five adored grandchildren: Brandon Conn (and Emily), Kendall Kleiber (and Justin), Colton Conn (and Kendle), Caleb Conn (and Ellie), and Cary Jo Grigsby (and Drake) with added blessings of 13 great-grandchildren: Payton, Colby, Kyle, Brinley, Elliot, Kambri, Brooks, Colter, Hudson, Brady, Haven, Chandler, and Harvey. He is also survived by his loving little sister Rita Scott, brother-in-law Ronnie Scott, and numerous other nieces and nephews. Jerry treasured every moment spent with them. Jerry is preceded in death by his wife (Carolyn), his father (Merrell), mother (Ruby Nell), sister-in-law (Fern Cawthon Weatherly Pantoja), and brother-in-law (Ron Cawthon). Their memories were dear to him, and he honored his roots throughout his life.

Jerry maintained strong faith and integrity throughout his life and set an example for his boys and family to live by, including loving the Lord and finding purpose every day. Jerry was a quiet leader, leading by example but also guiding firmly and lovingly when needed, as was often the case with four boys. He taught his boys “Your word is your bond”, “Have a firm handshake”, and “Do what you say when you say”.

Jerry loved music and learned to play a few songs on the piano like “Boogie Woogie” and “Frankie and Johnny”. He enjoyed Southern Gospel Quartet singing by groups like the Blackwood Brothers, the Statesmen, Gold City, and the Cathedrals. Singing bass and high tenor was his specialty, especially on his favorite song, “Feeling Fine”. He was the song leader of Southside Baptist Church in Tell, Texas. For over 50 years he attended First Baptist Church in Hearne serving as a Sunday school teacher with Carolyn, He also served as a deacon, sang in the adult choir and was in the men’s quartet.

Like his dad, he loved to hear and tell a good joke. He also liked to read about nutrition and was always trying something new and wanting to talk about it. He was known as “Cowboy Grandad” to kids visiting his house and did ride his horse a lot as a young man on the Tell farm and he continued riding until about 1980. As a young man his baseball coach was Dick Risenhoover who became the first play-by-play announcer for the Texas Rangers in 1972. Jerry was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys football fan and liked to watch basketball involving the Spurs or LeBron. Jerry was also a good athlete and played church league baseball for several years, but his favorite sport was racquetball, which he played at the Hearne First Baptist FLC well into his 80’s. Henry Bonorden was a favorite competitor there and even when Henry would win, which was often, Jerry kept a positive attitude and plotted to win the next game. He never gave up!

Jerry was a farmer and rancher for more than 50 years, many of those years with his sons, raising cotton, including dryland skip row cotton in Childress and since 1971, irrigated solid picker cotton in the Brazos Bottom at Valley Junction, west of Hearne, Texas. He also raised cattle and grew other crops. He had to adapt, as all successful farmers do, to multiple changes in the ag industry, like improved crop practices, energy conservation, low till and no till farming, advances in herbicides and pesticides, fertilizers, equipment advances, managing risk with irrigation, and abiding by ever changing federal regulations and challenges unique to the ag industry. Part of adapting was developing multiple skills and solving problems creatively, often with limited resources. The family joked about having in the old tractor toolbox only a set of rusty pliers and some bailing wire, and at times that’s all you had to fix a problem and get back to plowing that field to finish by sundown. And that’s what you did. That was emblematic of the ethic taught to his sons so they could succeed--to always to do their best, to be patient, to show the other guy what you are made of, to kill them with kindness, to trust in the Lord, and “to keep on keeping on”.

Jerry set the example with Carolyn to have a sacrificial love for family, exemplified in many ways, like making sure Santa put presents under the Christmas tree every year, even when times were very tough. He was also an eternal optimist, frequently assuring Carolyn it would all be all right. As a farmer, optimism was required to look forward to the crop next year when the last one didn’t live up to expectations. His faith also deepened as he learned to depend on the Lord for what he could not control, like praying for rain to get a crop up, praying for sunshine when the cotton was ready to pick, and praying for wisdom to manage things and praise God anway when prayers were unanswered. Optimism was part of his fabric and part of the reason for moving his family from Childress to Hearne to start anew on an irrigated farm in 1971.

Above all, Jerry will be remembered for his unwavering love of family and passion for living life. He leaves a rich legacy in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Family and especially the great grandkids will remember his love of Blue Bell and sharing an ice cream cone or watermelon with him.

Jerry’s warmth, kindness, and devotion to faith and family will be dearly missed and ever cherished.

Serving as pallbearers will be Colby Conn, Caleb Conn, Drake Grigsby, Colton Conn, Brandon Conn, and Justin Kleiber.

The family would like to express our appreciation to all the caregivers that provided loving care and companionship for Jerry, including the dedicated staff at Franklin Nursing Home and his long-time cardiologist Dr. Marcel Lechin.

Memorial gifts can be made to First Baptist Church, 105 W. Davis Street, Hearne Texas.77859

The family finds comfort in the promise of Scripture:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7