BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. – If you want to learn a little something of Hancock County, there are any number of pleasant folks hereabouts who will kindly show you the sights and tell a tale or two.
But if you want the true lowdown, you will go with Jerry West. You will learn some good shortcuts for navigating the streets that slice across Highway 90 at angles confusing to an outsider. You will learn who lived where before Hurricane Katrina struck, which businesses are open and which were destroyed. You will learn where they might build condos.
But listen and watch closely and you will learn something far better than all of that.
Jerry lives up in Jackson now, hours from his boyhood haunts of Waveland and Bay St. Louis. A loving and protective family has decided that the rubble and confusion of post-Katrina life in Hancock County is not the best place right now for a man born with Crouzon syndrome, a condition that required seven childhood operations on his skull and left him needing a little extra time and patience from the world.
But Jerry is able to come down for a visit now and then, on weekends and holidays, and when he does you can sometimes find him at the FEMA trailer on his father’s lot in Bay St. Louis. Katrina showed no mercy here, on Felicity Street just up from the yacht club, leaving giant pickup sticks where once stood elegant homes, including the Wests’ 110-year-old residence.
“I’ll tell you what,” says Jerry as he surveys the debris. “We don’t have nothing left. Just memories.”
“I loved it. I had peace and quiet, I had my own room. My room used to be over there. I had a kitchen, I had a bathroom. I loved it.”
But then, “The water came through, all the way from Louisiana to Mississippi.”
'We might not have a home left'
When the surging waves fell back to the bay and Jerry and his father, Charles West, and Jerry’s Springer spaniel J.J. (for “Jerry Junior because I’m his daddy”) returned to Felicity Street from the shelter where they rode out the storm, “I told J.J. we might not have a home left.” That was true and then some.
Gone as well were the precious mementos of a lifetime: diplomas from Hancock High and the community college where he studied independent living, trophies from the Special Olympics, plaques and proclamations honoring Jerry’s civic involvement. Katrina’s theft of the red and white suit he wore for 20 years when he played Santa at the South Mississippi Regional Center for the handicapped and mentally challenged seems especially cruel this time of year.
And it was worse. Jerry knew three people who perished in the storm itself and a fourth who died in an accident shortly afterward. “It’s hard to lose someone. … And it’s kind of bad when you lose a town, I want you to know.”
But Jerry retains an optimism that is like compound interest on the affection invested in him by a community that has clutched him tightly to its bosom since he first moved to Waveland with his family from New Orleans in the ’70s.
People from all around Hancock County have always responded warmly to this sunny man, now 36, steered gently but firmly into the world by family members -– in addition to Charles there is mom Connie and brothers Charlie, 38, Fred, 33, and sister Mary, 28 -– who were determined that he would always be “treated like one of us” in Mary’s words. Connie’s approach with Jerry was seized as a model by other moms in the area who had kids with special needs.
Jerry is innately “phenomenal,” says Mary, who currently lives in Jackson too, but she feels strongly that her brother’s ability to meet his challenges is a result of how “people cling and evolve together” in a place like Hancock County: “I would bet money that Jerry would not be the person he is if it were not for that community.” She cites examples from Jerry being taught how to drive by football legend Brett Favre’s father to then-Waveland Mayor John Longo Jr., father of current Mayor Tommy Longo, giving Jerry his first job when he was 15.
Mayor Favre's a fan
Mention Jerry’s name to a current mayor, Eddie Favre of Bay St. Louis, and, amid a hellish session of trying to explain how he will keep his city solvent, his face lights up. Favre hopes when summer rolls around that he’ll see his old buddy “out there working his behind off” as usual at their church’s annual crab feed. “God bless him,” he says.
Given this, it comes as no surprise that when you ask Jerry to take a minute and think about what he misses most after the storm, he doesn’t even wait a second: “Visiting my friends, my family and everybody else I knew, the people I grew up with, old-time people.”
It is those people, that family, these towns that held and molded a man who adds his own unique flavor to the Southern ways of “y’all” and courtesy titles for first names – “Mr. Wayne” and “Miss Laurie” – and the standard greeting of “hey.” A man who loves motorcycles and trucks and talking on the telephone. A man who lacks any inclination to judge other people, his father says.
Even “Hurricane ’trina,” as he calls the killer storm, is something he regards almost matter-of-factly, not angrily. “I didn’t cry,” he’ll tell you, but “I was upset because the town was different.”
Ask Jerry if he can show you how things and people are doing here, four months after the storm, and he is ready. “I’ll show you around, but it’ll be hard.”
Down Felicity Street he takes you, with constant narration and a little second-guessing of himself because it is all still so hard to sort out. “See that house right there, with the camper? That’s Bill’s house. Right here, that’s Paul’s house. He works for Bay P.D. Right there, Dave and Leslie. Used to be Mike’s house … Right here! No, somewhere. Right here? Him and Morgan and Tricia.”
Happy reunions, hugs and punches
Few folks are out and about this morning, but Jerry especially wants to check up on some of his oldest friends, Lonnie and Tina Falgout on Wolfe Street. There’s a happy reunion beneath the family’s waterlogged canal house, hugs all around, and the Falgouts want to know how Jerry’s job as a Wal-Mart greeter is going in Jackson, where the company was able to transfer him from the Waveland store.
“Are you running that Wal-Mart over there in Jackson yet?” Lonnie asks, bemoaning Jerry’s absence at the Waveland store. “That’s the only way we can get any baskets, if you’re working, Jerry.”
There are stops at a Bay St. Louis gas station and the Waveland Wal-Mart, where there is literally no one among the dozens of shoppers and employees whom Jerry does not greet or hug or punch fondly on the shoulder. “Hey, Tara! Hey, Duane! Hey, Britt! Heeeeey, Judy!”
At the veterans' memorial on the beach in Waveland, Jerry grows a little quiet. Here and the now-destroyed American Legion Post 77 just up Coleman Avenue are two of his favorite places in Hancock County. But the most favored of all is the Waveland pier complex a few hundred yards to the east, its concrete walkway and green pressure-treated pilings now in ruins, the decking that stretched into the gulf gone with Katrina’s winds and waves.
Every year, Jerry bought a $25 pier pass so he could spend his afternoons there fishing for specks and drums, catfish and hardheads. “I’ll tell you what, I love it. People love it, summertime, wintertime, all year. I go down to the pier and see all my rangers sitting there and we talk, talk, talk. They’re my family.”
And all of this is what Jerry wants back now. Jackson, where his father has bought a new house, is “nice, but it ain’t home.” He is grateful for the help from Wal-Mart and the Red Cross and others in relocating there, and he understands that some time must pass after “Hurricane ’trina” before he can return.
'We're going to be OK'
But “we’re going to come back, we’re going to rebuild, just not right now,” he’ll tell you over and over. “We’re going to be OK.”
So if you come down to Hancock County in a few years, when the debris is all gone and the houses are rebuilt, take a drive down Coleman Avenue in Waveland. They will have a new city hall and the businesses will be back, the cash registers waiting for your tourist dollars.
Park below Beach Boulevard next to the veterans memorial with its flags flapping in the gulf breeze and stroll out onto the pier. Breathe the sea air and watch the gulls soar against the brilliant blue sky and look for Jerry.
I hope you will find him there, back in a place where Jerry and everyone else still have something far more dear than all the physical objects they lost to Katrina, back where he belongs, back home. Ask him how the fishing is and tell him Mr. Mike says "hey."
Hospital is off life support
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Hi Jerry! I am glad to see that you and your family are doing well. Please tell them hello for me. It was great to see you on this site. Yours truly, Remy Bezou Sanders
Remy Bezou Sanders, Bay St. Louis, MS (now Daphne, AL) (Sent Dec 29, 2005 5:28:31 PM)
Hello, My name is Shirley I had lots of damage to my home in Slidell, La. In which I was still moving into when Hurricane Katrina struck us. I need help rebuilding my home financially. My story is a long one. We hadn't even made a mortgage payment yet. The insurance company is telling us they won't help. We asked our agent to cover us with flood and homeoweners which she said she had done, but now claims it was only in quote stage. We have had to split up because of our jobs. One in Calif and one in Missouri and now....this mortgage payment on a house that is uninhabitable. Can you send me names, numbers of people who we can contact for assistance??
I am sending you two email addresses to reach me. Thanks, Shirley
Shirley Culbreath,Joplin, Missouri and Jean Bruce, Corona Calif. (Sent Dec 29, 2005 5:47:05 PM)
hey jerry,we all miss you to.i miss the bay and waveland also.i wish that we can all come back also.i miss it alot and i miss shopping at the walmart.and i miss seeing your smiling face.your a real sweetheart.
lorrie (Sent Dec 29, 2005 6:14:43 PM)
This is one kick-a** story--Jerry West,his family,friends and the people of Hancock Co.are what makes this the greatest nation on earth-and the South its finest treasure--Hey,Jerry,If I made it down to Bay St.Louis could you meet me on the pier and give me a hint on the best bait to use?I got a feelin' I could learn a lot about love,understanding and acceptance just from talkin' to you--Might even catch a fish or two to boot--
Fred,Va. (Sent Dec 29, 2005 6:32:37 PM)
Great article! I lived not to far from the pier. I miss all the wonderful people I met there when I retired to that area.
Connie Malone, Waveland(now in Gainesville, GA) (Sent Dec 29, 2005 7:05:31 PM)
Lord, please grant Jerry his wishes to be home.
MW (Sent Dec 29, 2005 7:33:32 PM)
Okay, Mr. Mike, again you have moved me to smiles and tears. I pray that Jerry is at the pier when i arrive - he is amazing! And so are you! Thank you.
Granny, Indiana (Sent Dec 29, 2005 8:12:09 PM)
Amid all of the terrible things that happened and the inclination of governing bodies to tear each other down, this story brings it down to the basics of what all the assistance is all about - people who have helped people long before the disasters. Good people who don't ask, "What's in it for me?" Kind-hearted and loving towns like Waveland and Bay St. Louis who know that the measure of a man, or a woman or a town isn't in the bricks and the mortar, but what lies inside each and everyone that lives in that town. Thank you for this story.
Kathy Guy, Kansas (Sent Dec 29, 2005 8:24:01 PM)
Jerry, Your story is so uplifting. I PROMISE you, let the pier get straightened out, and I will come see you with the biggest hug you ever have gotten.
Keep looking forward!
Monica, Bogalusa, La,.....Previously from the Bay (Sent Dec 29, 2005 9:08:06 PM)
God Bless you Jerry West. You are the best.
H Adams, Hamilton, MS (Sent Dec 29, 2005 9:47:31 PM)
most folks ...uselly wind up somewhere close to where they call home ....good luck...Jerry!!!
andy,ms (Sent Dec 29, 2005 10:11:29 PM)
That man used to cut our grass!
Megan Hill (Sent Dec 29, 2005 10:33:08 PM)
God bless him. May Jerry be able to return to the hometown he has always known soon.
Jamie Lawrenceville, GA (Sent Dec 29, 2005 11:27:41 PM)
The world needs more Jerrys and all of his family and more towns like theirs. The way we treat each other is more important than anything else. Jerry knows that.
This is a wonderful story. Thanks for letting us meet Jerry and his family and letting us see the town through his eyes.
Jackie of Standale, MI (Sent Dec 30, 2005 4:12:49 AM)
There is no substitute for kindness or innocence.
Joe, Orefield Pa. (Sent Dec 30, 2005 10:45:57 AM)
Hey Jerry, Mr. Doug & Mrs. Michele sure miss seeing you at Wal-mart. We'll be back working the crabfest soon and you're right, we'll be OK. Take care & we miss you.
Doug & Michele Seal, Bay St Louis, MS (Sent Dec 30, 2005 11:31:57 AM)
Jerry, God has a plan for all of you. you may not get back to what was, but you will have what God intends for you and your family and i assume it will be wonderful.
Amy, Milwaukee WI (Sent Dec 30, 2005 12:10:36 PM)
I am sitting here at work (on my lunch hour)with tears in my eyes. Our family bought a house in BSL early this summer and couldn't wait to move down there for the reasons brought out in this story. Besides being a beautiful place to live, it was the people we met that sealed our decision to buy there. It still amazes us when we go down to work on the house that the attitudes which attracted us there in the first place have survived. I hope to meet up with Jerry sometime in the future when we can also move there.
Vivian, Santa Rosa Beach, FL (Sent Dec 30, 2005 12:32:12 PM)
Jerry, I happened across this article about you and it brought back fond memories. I am glad you are all right. Your St. Clare's classmate, Jennifer Burrows
Jennifer, New Orleans, LA (Sent Dec 30, 2005 3:50:09 PM)
Hey Jerry!!God bless the Jerry`s in this world and when i meet up with you in Heaven i will hug you and surly know who you are and you will know me.God bless you Jerry and keep you and J.J. safe i pray all your wishes come true.
Linda,Carrollton,kentucky (Sent Dec 30, 2005 3:54:38 PM)
BOY DOES THIS COUNTRY NEED MORE JERRYS
TOM SEA. WASH. (Sent Dec 30, 2005 4:34:13 PM)
Hey Jerry. Good to hear that you and the family are well. God Bless you and we all do miss you here in town. Hope to see you soon.
Jerry Beaugez, Bay St. Louis, MS (Sent Dec 30, 2005 6:38:19 PM)
It has been a long time since I've seen you Jerry. Great to see that you are doing well. Please send my best to your family.
John Bezou, Fort Riley, KS (Sent Dec 30, 2005 7:30:35 PM)
Hey Jerry, Congratulations on your article. You did a wonderful job and now I think that the readers will start to understand the spirit of "The Bay"; kind and resiliant. Luna (the dog), Dave, and I are all doing well. By the way, I really miss the house too, I think that Luna just misses her walks on the beach and the grass feild next door. Thanks for the mention.
Lesli (upstairs neighbor), Bay St. Louis, MS (Sent Dec 30, 2005 11:04:08 PM)
As a life long Yankee the
South has always been
special to me. Jerry adds another reason to make it more special than ever. God bless you Jerry.
Larry Garrison, Hamlet, IN (Sent Dec 31, 2005 8:20:49 AM)
I am a Louisiana native now living in Meridian,Ms. I usually read these stories early in the morning and can't bring myself to read them some days, because they are so heartbreaking . Thank you for this beautiful one about Jerry. He is remarkable and a true role model for us all. Keep the stories coming , as I am afraid the rest of the nation will soon forget this area and not realize all that is still to be done there before it will even be near normal again.
Karen ,Meridian, Ms. (Sent Dec 31, 2005 9:12:00 AM)
I do agree with Tom from Seattle Washington,
This country does need more people just like
Jerry West.
Francis Zarnowski, Spring City, Pennsylvania (Sent Dec 31, 2005 11:48:04 AM)
HEY JERRY... I AM CASHIER JEANNE... SO GLAD U MADE IT... WALMART IS NOT THE SAME WITH OUT U...GRANNYHUGS...
JEANNE CLERMONT HARBOR,MS (Sent Dec 31, 2005 6:08:20 PM)
Hey Jerry,
Miss you at the door asking how my dad is. Everything is good here hope you get back soon.
John Wilkerson Waveland MS (Sent Dec 31, 2005 8:27:31 PM)
Dear Jerry...Imagine our amazement when my husband Dennis and I walked into the WalMart in Jackson and there you were. We had just been wondering the day before about how you had managed in the storm. We talk about a lot of people we knew in Bay St. Louis and Waveland. We have found a few "like you" in unexpected places. I guess people find us in unexpected places too. We will all be together again some day fishing off the Waveland Pier. We still have our peir pass. Hang on to yours until we can use them again. Dennis & Tawny Gai, Bay St. Louis, MS
Dennis & Tawny Gai (Sent Jan 1, 2006 2:04:49 AM)
I think that Jerry really sets the example for what people are really like on the Ms. Gulf Coast were all surviors and i think theres a lil bit of Jerry in all of us.
W. Mathis Pascagoula,MS (Sent Jan 1, 2006 9:05:19 AM)
God Bless you and your family Jerry.
Evalyn (Sent Jan 1, 2006 10:16:04 AM)
I LIVE IN CANADA, BUT HAVE RELATIVES IN THE STATES. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET. I HOPE MANY OF OUR DOLLARS SENT WILL BE SPENT ON GIVING THESE WONDERFUL, BRAVE PEOPLE THEIR HOMES AND LIVES BACK. GERRY IS A WONDERFUL INSPIRATION FOR THIS COMMUNITY TO HOLD ON TO ONE ANOTHER AND ALL THE BEST IN THE FUTURE. LOVE AND MORE BLESSINGS TO EVERYONE IN THE U.S. WHO HAVE LIVED THROUGH THESE TOUGH TIMES.
SINCERELY ANITA STARMAN, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA
ANITA STARMAN, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA (Sent Jan 1, 2006 11:13:00 AM)
Hey Jerry! Glad to see you and your family made it. Also glad to see that Lonnie and Tina are okay also. God bless you and hope to see you in Walmart in the near future.
Kelly Blanchard, Florida (formerly Waveland) (Sent Jan 1, 2006 6:47:45 PM)
Jerry, you are an inspiration of strength and an icon of what the people of Bay St. Louis represent.
John and Patty Kidd, Reno, Nevada (Sent Jan 1, 2006 9:42:26 PM)
Hi Jerry,
You are such an inspiration to Taylor & I.
Love & hugs, Kristi
Kristi Ferguson, Houston, TX (Sent Jan 2, 2006 9:22:03 AM)
Hey, Mr. Jerry!
Jimmy, Manila, Philippines (Sent Jan 2, 2006 9:49:50 AM)
I moved to the Bay from Dallas and also spent several years in Coral Gables, FL. What this story tells and the man that Jerry is - well, now I can see why I stayed. It was always in my heart but never felt it so strongly until this storm tore our towns apart.
shena, pass christian (Sent Jan 2, 2006 4:33:29 PM)
Hey Jerry,
It's Vanessa. I am so glad to hear from you. We miss you too. Remember Scott was supposed to bring you a hat from Sturgis, and you would ask me about it when Gabby(my daughter 10yrs. old) and I would see you in Walmart. Well, Scott had bought one for Gabby and she wanted to give you her's, but Katrina took it away before I could. Oh, and Jerry, the next time you go to visit your brother Freddie, you and JJ better walk down the street to visit us in our FEMA trailer. We miss you. Walmart just isn't the same without you. We love you and don't worry you will make more friends in Jackson. Take care of yourself, ok.
Vanessa, Waveland, MS (Sent Jan 2, 2006 10:30:08 PM)
Good to Hear about u Jerry. Hope u get back here soon. We need all our people back in Hancock County.
Vernon Fisher, Bay St.Louis, MS (Sent Jan 3, 2006 3:39:16 AM)
Jerry,
I am so glad to see and hear that you and your family are okay. I wondered how you were through all of this. The article was pretty good about you. Now people all across the country and even the world know about my friend Jerry. I can't wait to see you and am praying for you.
Tommy
Tommy Holzhauser, Waveland,MS (Sent Jan 3, 2006 1:25:36 PM)
Jerry Iam glad your doing well after the Katrina!! Hope all gets better for you and you will stay in your hometown where you feel happy!! God Bless you!! Keep staying strong and positive that is great!
Amanda Christner, St. Paul, MN (Sent Jan 3, 2006 6:54:28 PM)
Jerry, great to hear that you are okay! Miss Virginia, Laura, Ellen and Jerry Felder said to tell you "hi." Whenever you move back to BSL, I'll bring you another Harley Davidson t-shirt (like the one I brought you from Sturgis a few years back). Take care of yourself.
Philip Memphis/TN (Sent Jan 3, 2006 7:14:21 PM)
HI jERRY,
YOU ARE THE MAN OF THE HOUR. YOU ARE VERY LOVED BY THE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY AS THE MESSAGES SHOW. MAY YOU ALWAYS BE SO BLESSED! BSL HAS BEEN BLESSED WITH SOMEONE AS SPECIAL AS YOURSELF. I HOPE TO SEE YOU WHEN I GO TO VISIT BSL IN YEARS TO COME AND MEET YOUR DOG J.J.. I HAVE A FEELING THAT WHEN YOU GO TO MOVE BACK TO BSL FROM JACKSON,THE PEOPLE THERE WILL BE ASKING YOU TO STAY,FOR I BET YOU MAKE THEIR DAY WHEN THEY GO TO WALMART. GOOD LUCK AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
MARY IN SLIDELL,LA (Sent Jan 4, 2006 10:47:08 PM)
no negitive comments in this blog....Jerry you are a well thought of man!!!....count your blessings...because they are many.....just look at all the friends ya have......get back as soon as possible....and catch some fish ...for ME!!!!
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Jan 5, 2006 10:22:46 AM)
Jerry you're a SUPERSTAR!! We've all always known it, and now everyone else knows it! Tell that gorgeous sister of yours hello for me!
Jeffery Rhodes, Charleston, SC (Sent Jan 6, 2006 9:41:57 AM)
Jerry we miss you at work!! Glad to see you the other day and we will all be back together before you know it!! Miss you much!
Jennifer (from Furniture) Waveland, MS (Sent Jan 6, 2006 4:22:14 PM)
Hi, Jerry!
Great story and pictures! We can't wait for you and Byrd to come visit New Orleans for St. Patrick's Day. We will show you all the places where New Orleans is beginning to recover.
Best wishes from Dr. Ed and Ms. Viv
Vivien Michals, New Orleans, LA (Sent Jan 8, 2006 6:45:39 PM)
this is joy johsons famiel. i would love to hear from you all. iam real worry about you all.please call me this janice adiga 256-470-0317 or256-477-5264or 256-593-0359. if any one know anything about this famiel please call me. joy i love you and the kids and i real miss you all.please call me anytime i dont care what time it is.
kyle d. king (Sent Jan 9, 2006 1:00:13 AM)
Jerry,
What a great article!
Jackson is one lucky city to have someone as wonderful as you are brightening up people's days.
They should count there blessing while they have you on loan from Bay St. Louis, because we know you'll be back home soon.
Wishing you the best,
Cliff
Cliff, Hangzhou, Zhejiang (China) (Sent Jan 9, 2006 11:38:53 AM)
JERRY,
IT IS SO GOOD TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE OKAY - MISS YOU AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN REAL SOON - WAL MART IS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU - TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS YOU - WE LOVE YOU - TERRI & JAMIE FAVRE
TERRI FAVRE, BAY ST. LOUIS, MS (Sent Jan 11, 2006 10:50:40 AM)
Hi Jerry! It's your old childhood friend, Jan. I was so HAPPY when I saw your shining face (with your famous 'arms folded' stance). You are the BEST, Jerry! I have always ADORED you! I am also HAPPY you are alive and well. My prayers are with you... May you get back to the Gulf Coast real soon! I love you, Jerry!
Jan Frommeyer Smith, Mobile, AL (Sent Jan 11, 2006 11:56:40 PM)
Hi Jerry,
My friend Cliff knows your sister Mary and I just wanted to send you special greetings from China and wish you a blessed New Year. May you return home soon, I can tell everyone misses you dearly!
Best always, Rosanna
Rosanna, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China (Sent Jan 12, 2006 1:31:36 AM)
Hey Jerry!! I am so glad you are ok. Tell Ms. Connie, Freddie and Mary hello! Mom and I are livinf in Daphne, AL now because the house was destroyed. Daddy is still down there though, and Johhny is here in Daphne too. Joy is i n Picayune. We miss you all!! Take care and we'll see you soon!
Jamie and Janet Bordages from Lakeshore,MS
Jamie Bordages, Daphne, AL (Sent Jan 12, 2006 5:46:05 PM)
Hey Mr. Jerry, you probably don't know me, but I sure know you. I was a regular at wal-mart and I sure miss you're smiling face everytime I go to it now.
Rebeckah Kersanac, Waveland MS (Sent Jan 12, 2006 8:52:46 PM)
Hi Jerry,
I was just able to read your story. We cannot count how many people asked about you at Wal-Mart after the storm. It will be a blessed day when we are all together again under the same roof. You are not only missed at Wal-Mart, you are missed by the the whole community. Sorry I missed you at Wal-Mart, I'll get my hug next trip. Emma and Tia said Hi!
Piccola Johnston, Waveland, MS (Sent Jan 14, 2006 12:06:09 PM)
Hi, Jerry. How good it is to hear that you and your family are doing well. I have thought about you and prayed for you all. It is so good to see such a positive attitude...and with your determination, you'll be back to home in no time!
God bless you and your family...Mr. Jim's niece, Sharon!
Sharon H, Pennsylvania (Sent Jan 23, 2006 7:44:07 PM)
Hi Jerry, I'm so glad to hear that you're doing well and that your family is safe. God bless and keep your head up!
Daniette Bourgeois Bilnoski, Weston, FL (Sent Jan 28, 2006 1:44:35 PM)
Hey Jerry, I am so glad that you and your family are all O.K. They could not have picked anyone better than you to represent Hancock county! Everybody knows Jerry:)! Please tell your family hello.
Jenny Thomas -Nelms, Port St John, Fl (Sent Jan 28, 2006 3:57:37 PM)
HEY JERRY! I SURE MISS WALKING IN WALMART AND SEEING YOU. YOU ALWAYS ASKED ME ABOUT JOHNNY FELDER AND HIS FAMILY. THEY ARE ALL FINE. HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON.
KAREN FELDER JORDAN, WAVELAND, MS (Sent Jan 28, 2006 7:17:41 PM)
Jerry, you've been an inspiration to us all for so long, now more than ever. You are an amazing individual. Things will never be the same in the Bay and Waveland, but it will certainly seem a bit more normal when we can see you around town again. Looking forward to the day.
Donald and Karen Harvill (Sent Feb 12, 2006 6:40:31 PM)
Wow, is all I can say. I've been in tears reading all the blogs about This wonderful man named Jerry. Jerry, you continue to let your light shine!! You sound like (no YOU ARE) a wonderful person, and you are so loved. If we had a world full of Jerry's this would be such a wonderful planet. You keep pressing on, you and JJ. And to all Jerry's friends, I just want to thank you for loving him so. I've been to New Orleans one time for a conference, and me and my husband loved it there, and planned on going back one day. Peace and blessings to Jerry, and his family, and all the families affected by the hurricane
Tracey Tingle, Upper Marlboro, MD (Sent Feb 23, 2006 4:27:12 PM)
I guess we know who the most popular guy in town is! I first met Jerry when he worked at McDonalds, always had a greeting and a smile. Friendliest guys around, since then I've just bumped into him all over the place. I later met his brother Charlie at St. Clares where our kids were together at Ms. Nancy's class.
I later hear how St. Clare's was the only school in BSL/Waveland that allowed him to have a normal education in a regular school setting. If for no other reason that that, we should save St. Clares.
Jerry is a shining example of the spirit of St. Clares and of the whole community.
Please people lets not let Rodi win, Lets unite, march, fund raise, whatever, but lets keep St. Clares allive.
Philip (Sent Mar 8, 2006 1:48:42 AM)
Hey Jerry! This is Binnaz. We worked together at McDonalds many many years ago. I was so thrilled to see that you and yours made it through the storm with your lives. I can't tell you how many tears I've cried, thinking about everyone I've lost touched with since the storm, wondering if they made it or not. This was a very bright spot in my day today. And have no fear.. We will come back! We're Coasties, and we'll have it no other way. If I make it up to Jackson anytime soon, I'll be sure to stop in at the Walmart and say hi!
Binnaz, Biloxi, MS. (Sent May 15, 2006 1:01:17 PM)
Hey Jerry!!!! I came across this site by accident, but I glad that I did...This is Mary and Kevin...the ones that always had the endless supply of Harley Davidson T-shirts....Reading about you brought tears to my eyes and we MISS being HOME so much...Kevin is always asking if anyone has talked or heard from you..I am glad that you and your family are doing well...I hope that I can see you soon...and by the way..we have more shirts and 2 new Harley's to go with them, I hope that we see you soon and you can take the ride Kevin and you always talked about...
God Bless you and we miss you very much..
Mary Bourgeois
Mary Bourgeois, Prairieville, LA fromerly Clermont Harbor, MS (Sent Jun 1, 2006 4:24:12 PM)
Hi Jerry, Just saw this for the first time today...Now your even a bigger Celeb! Luv Dotsie
Dotsie C, Waveland, Ms (Sent Jun 5, 2006 3:03:21 PM)
Jerry,
You are the best!!! I loved reading about you and your love of family, friends and community. May God continue to bless you and the BSL community.
Pete, Russellville, Arkansas (Sent Jun 13, 2006 11:54:07 AM)
Heya, Jerry. I just can't say how thrilled I am to hear you and your family are alright. I've been thinking about home a lot, and just happened to stumble across this today, cried a bunch of bittersweet happy tears when I read it. Take care of your family, and tell Mary hello for me.
Destin R, Chicago by way of Bay St. Louis (Sent Jul 10, 2006 9:09:59 PM)
Jerry! I cannot believe I am just now wandering upon this article! You are awesome and have always made the day a little brighter.
I know I can speak for my dad and "Shorty" on this too. The Waveland Civic Association events will not be the same if you're not around! Haven't seen you in a while but hopefully you're still involved.
See ya!
Maegan Thornton, Mobile, AL (Hancock county native) (Sent Jul 24, 2006 12:08:39 PM)
Hey Jerry, I don't know if you'll remember me. I worked with you at Waveland Walmart back in 1999-2000. My name is Dawn Smith and I moved back to California after leaving the Bay. Now I live in Las Vegas. I miss the gulf coast soooo much and I think about all of my Walmart friends all the time. You may not believe it but its true. I miss you all. Love ya, Dawn
Dawn Smith---Las Vegas, NV, formerly of Easterbrook St. (Sent Jul 27, 2006 11:43:25 PM)
I hope everyone in the country reads this story that is so indicative of the closeness and attitude of the Gulf Coast Region. There are more stories like this that needs to be told so the people of the US won't be able to forget the struggle to get lives back on track. Even though it's been almost a year, this story brought tears to my eyes. Good luck Jerry. You are a special person to a lot of special people.
Erma C, Mandeville LA (Sent Aug 19, 2006 9:35:20 AM)
Jerry, we wish you the best and hope to see you on your next visit. The Waveland Civic Assoc. & the American Legion miss you so very much. You have many friends here who ask about you all the time. We hope to see you soon.
Jay & Diane F. Waveland, MS (Sent Aug 21, 2006 2:15:42 AM)
Jerry, It's people like you that makes this world a better place to live in. It is Gods plan for you to inspire us to give love, love one another and to love Jesus Christ our savior, May God watch over you and yours and Bless your lives
Judy (Sent Aug 23, 2006 12:00:10 AM)
Anyone of you can go thru what you did and still look to the future has my deep admiration. God Bless uou!
Pat Prior, Victoria, British Columbia (Sent Aug 27, 2006 6:49:01 PM)
Hay Jerry, miss you man! Hope you are doing ok. Mullet and Wild Bill said to tell you hello. Your friend Buster "T"
Buster Thornton, Kiln, Ms. (Sent Sep 19, 2006 5:42:39 PM)
JERRY!!! Hi! Oh we miss you so much at Walmart. I miss seeing your smiling face at Walmart and I also miss you handing me buggies lol. I am so happy to see you made it okay through the storm, We were all so worried about you after the storm. Hope to see you soon back at Walmart!
Brittney, Clermont Harbor, Mississippi (Sent Sep 21, 2006 2:23:26 PM)
jerry!
evertime i pass by where the wavepool (our summer hangout!) used to be, or walk into wal-mart i think about you. i know jackson is a better place just having you there, but we sure miss you at home. my families all ok, and we're taking it day by day. i've pretty much been updated on everyone in your family. tell everyone hey, esp. your mom. i have known you my whole life, and the hardest thing to get used to, is not all the physical things we lost, not landmarks and buildings, but being spread out all over the country and not having familiar faces and loved ones around us! things'll get better! take care.
ellen kergosien beckham (Sent Feb 24, 2007 2:15:41 AM)
what a remarkable story. Jerry you are a terrific person and the best part of it is you don't care about title's like that. you are who you are and people love you for it. for someone who wasn't directly affected by the storm, i have no comparison. i can tell you this. if everyone in the world had your outlook on life, we would be living much more fulfilling lives. my empathy goes out to you, your family, the many people that have been spread troughout the country and the hundreds of volunteers trying to take care of this unfortunate situation. ASK YOUR LOCAL MEDIA NETWORKS TO TELL MORE UPLIFTING STORIES ABOUT GOOD PEOPLE AND GOOD ACTS WILL BE REPEATED MORE OFTEN. DO NOT SIT BACK SUBDUED WHILE THE MEDIA REPORTS DESTRUCTION AND VIOLENCE. if everyone read or heard a story like this in the morning, it would be pretty hard to have a bad day. Thank You Jerry.
Hunter Evans, Jacksonville Fl (Sent Mar 27, 2007 3:36:50 PM)
Jerry...is there anyone on the Gulf Coast that you DON'T know??? You're a remarkable man from a remarkable family from a remarkable community.
Frank, Chatham, Mississippi (Sent Jun 16, 2007 11:49:20 AM)
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