Gerald Edward Kerr

Dr Gerald “Jerry” Edward Kerr, 84 years old, of Palm Harbor, FL, passed away June 26, 2025, in Westchester Gardens Health and Rehab in Clearwater Florida. He was born in Toledo, OH, on March 29, 1941, the son of the late Rev. Charles and Mildred (Bennett) Kerr.

Jerry was a 1959 graduate of Atherton High School. He attended several universities and achieved several degrees. He majored in Music Theology at St. Paul Bible College, earned a Master’s in Music from Indiana University, and he attended Indiana School of Dentistry where he was the Chief Resident of his Oral Surgery class. This led to him establishing the Gerald E. Kerr Oral and Maxillofacial surgery practice in 1978 in Kokomo, IN. He served for 38 years until his retirement. Jerry will be remembered for singing to his patients. Jerry served as a youth pastor at First Covenant Church for middle school and high school students. He was a middle school band teacher in Bloomington, IN. Music and dentistry were his life and his passion.

Jerry was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Kokomo where he sang in the choir. He also sang and acted in the Kokomo Civic Theatre and was the former President of the Kokomo Symphony Orchestra. He was a member of the American Dental Association and Indiana Dental Association. His favorite vacations were spent in Cabo San Lucas Mexico and fishing trips to Canada.

He is survived by his children, Kevin Kerr, late infant Kelly Lynn Kerr,  Carrie (Clint) Sheets, Laura Kerr, Jerry Kassel, Tina (Kassel) Riley; grandchildren, Bennett Kerr, Caleb Sheets, Ethan Sheets, Nolan Sheets, Carlin Kerr, Kayleigh Jones, Lillian Jones, Shelby (Alex) Bass Bensley, Jaaron Riley; first wife, Beth Kerr; and second wife, Mary Kerr.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Charles Kerr and Mildred (Bennett) Kerr; sister, Beverly Kerr Webb.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 10 am to Noon Saturday July 19, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902. A memorial service celebrating Jerry’s life will begin at Noon on Saturday, at the funeral home, with Greg Reed officiating. Anyone who wishes to spend more time with the family is invited to come to the Half Moon restaurant immediately following the service, the family will be there until 4 pm. Contributions may be made in Jerry’s memory to the Indiana University Dental School. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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