Gerald Folks

Gerald "Jerry" Folks, 84, passed away on December 30, 2022, in Orlando, Fl.

Gerald Folks was born on November 28, 1938 in Stringer, Mississippi, to Jasper Folks and Lucille Folks.

Jerry graduated from Stringer Attendance Center in 1957. He entered the United States Air Force in the spring of 1957 and completed basic training at Lackland AFB Texas. While in the military he completed training as a firefighter and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Black Hills State College. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1978 he began work in Orange County Public Schools where he had a long career in site security and safety.

Jerry married Phyllis Payne in Orlando on March 20, 1965. The couple had 2 children, Tami and Todd. Jerry and Phyllis were also foster parents to several children while they were stationed with the Air Force in South Dakota.

Jerry was best known for his love of people. He would help anyone who needed it and never met a stranger.

Jerry is survived by his wife Phyllis, daughter Tami, son Todd and his wife Victoria, grandson Benjamin and his wife Brittany, great grandson Brennan and his much loved extended family John and Petra Ostrom, and their children Emily and Ethan.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Jasper and Lucille Folks and brothers Marvin, Thomas and James.

The service will be held on Tuesday January 10th, at 11:00 AM at Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home or you may be joined virtually.

Followed by graveside service and burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery at 12:30.

Visitation will be on Monday, January 9th, at 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home and a Gathering on Tuesday January 10th at 10:30 am prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to be made in Jerry's name to your favorite pet rescue group or to the Fisher House Foundation, https://fisherhouse.org/, supporting military families who have family members in hospital.