Gerald “Jerry” Arthur Parris

Master Sgt. Gerald Arthur Parris, 69, of Fort Worth, also known as, JP, Cat Daddy, Old Man, Grandpa, Checkbook, Jerry, Dad, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 2, 2018, after a two- week battle with sudden cardiac arrest. GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 9 a.m. Monday, April 9, 2018, in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Biggers Funeral Home.

Jerry was born in Canonsburg, Pa., on April 22, 1948, to Ida Mae Morgan Parris of Johnstown, Pa., and Arthur Frederick Parris of McDonald, Pa. Jerry graduated in 1966 from Langley High School in Pittsburgh. He joined the United States Air Force in 1967. In 1971 he was stationed at Castle Air Force Base where he met and fell in love with Barbara Jean Robinson of Merced, Callif, or her cats depending on whose version you believe. Three children quickly followed, Lisa Cecilia Parris (1972), William Arthur Parris (1975) and Michael Christopher Parris (1976). Master Sgt. Parris was stationed at Myrtle Beach AFB (75- 77), Nellis AFB (77-81), Spangdahlem AFB, Germany (81-84) and finally Carswell AFB (84-87) where he retired after 20 years of active duty.

After retiring, Jerry went to work for the Fort Worth Transportation Authority as a bus driver where he was known as “Operator Parris,” “JP” and “Cat Daddy” by his work family. It was there he met his longtime companion, Sherrie Alexander. JP worked at The T for over 28 years before retiring for good in 2016.

Dad was a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates fan who never left the house without representing his hometown in some way. He had a big heart and was always quick to help somebody down on their luck. Dad loved classic cars, reading the paper, watching old TV shows and playing with his pets. He also loved his yearly visits to Pittsburgh where he spent time with his three loving sisters, Kathleen, Janice and Elaine. Although the Old Man was starting to show his age, he still loved playing catch with his grandsons or just sitting in his lawn chair talking to the neighbors while his grandsons played. “Kiss Kulu,” “I’m going to get the Moho,” “leave $5 on the table,” “donde” and “Big Ben!” were a few of the phrases he was known to say when we had company and especially on football Sundays. Nobody knew what the Moho or Kulu was, but we laughed just the same. My father was a special soul. He meant so much to everyone around him. There will never be another Grandpa. We will always love you, Dad.

Special thanks to the ICU staff at Medical Center Arlington. I watched you do everything you could to save Dad. I’ll always remember that. Thank you.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Arthur F. Parris (1916-2003), and his mother, Ida Mae Parris (1922-2016).

Jerry is survived by sisters, Kathleen Speirs, Janice Cyfers, Elaine Stanton; and his many nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his former wife, Barbara Parris; his companion, Sherrie Alexander; and his three loving children, Lisa Cecilia Herriman (45), William Arthur Parris (43), Michael Christopher Parris (41); and his seven grandsons, Ricardo Chapa (21), Cody Douglas Herriman (19), London Neal Maxwell (14), Nikolai Alexander Parris (7), Luke William Parris (6), James Arthur Parris (5) and Ari Lincoln Parris (4).