Jerry Wayne Bernet

Born March 19, 1940 in Springfield, MO to Helen & Fred Bernet. Jerry passed away at age 85, on June 24, 2025.

Jerry loved hunting and fishing growing up. His biggest passion was baseball at which he excelled. He was signed out of high school with the Baltimore Orioles. He then played fast pitch softball for several years and was inducted into the Missouri State Softball Hall of Fame.

He married his High School sweetheart, Joyce Hoaglin, in 1959. They had two sons Chris and Jeff.

Jerry worked for McDonald Douglas from 1963-1966. There he was chosen to work closely with the astronauts on the Gemini spacecraft.

He then worked for Xerox from 1966- 1994.

Jerry retired in 1994 and moved to Bull Shoals Lake until his passing.

Jerry is survived by his children, 2 sons, Chris and Jeff and wife Kathy. Three grandchildren, Evan Todd (grandson) and wife Jorie, Elle Smith (granddaughter) & her husband Bryson, along with (grandson) Quenton Bernet. Jerry has many nieces and nephews, along with many, many friends.

Visitation is Monday, June 30th from 5-7 pm. Service will be Tuesday, July 1st at 10 am at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Private burial will follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Missouri Department of Conservation:

Missouri Department of Conservation
Donations
PO Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180

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The Memorial Slideshow can be viewed here .