Jerry Granville Akers, age 72, son of Doyle and Dolly (Hicks) Merckling was born on Jan. 3, 1953, in Mountain Grove, Missouri. His spirit left this world to be with his Lord and Savior on Jan. 27, 2025.
Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Dolly; father, Doyle; wife, Tammy; and great-grandson Riggin Akers.
Jerry is survived by daughter, Brandi Akers of Houston, Missouri; son, Ashly Akers (and Sandy) of Tecumseh, Missouri; grandchildren, Lanie, Gus and Charley of Tecumseh; granddaughter, Gracie Westbrook (and Jessie) of Raymondville; and great grandchildren, Fern and Ransom of Raymondville; brothers, Marty Merckling (and Judy) of Houston; Bob Merckling (and Barb) of Republic, Missouri; and sisters, Sherri (Merckling) Gale of Houston; and Amy Brown (and Brinson) of Nixa, Missouri; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
Jerry spent his first eight years with his mother, Dolly, living in Mountain Grove. At that time, his mother, Dolly, met and married the only father he ever acknowledged, Doyle Merckling. Over the next few years, Jerry gained two brothers and a sister. This is the family he would love and cherish for the rest of his life, as they loved and cherished him.
The family then moved to a farm in Tyrone, Missouri, where Jerry enjoyed some of his happiest memories riding and breaking horses, including his favorite horse, Apache. He spent time coon hunting with his dad and teaching his Shetland pony, Trigger, many tricks.
Jerry eventually ended up at Raymondville Elementary School where he quickly became a well-known basketball player. The neighboring schools would speak of “Jerry Akers.” Finally, a young man from a nearby school had to find out what all of the “fuss” was about and this started a 60-year friendship.
The family moved once again, this time to Raymondville. Jerry graduated from Raymondville Elementary School and attended Houston High School, where he developed an interest in fast cars and motorcycles. Jerry never lost interest in those things.
After several years of unrest after his mother, Dolly, passed away in 1974, Jerry moved back to the Houston area and began a career as a truck driver. He teamed up driving a truck with Kim Medlock, and in 1979 they were married. On May 10, 1982, they had a daughter, Brandi. Recently, Jerry and Brandi have enjoyed spending time together on holidays, visiting, exchanging gifts and laughing together. Brandi was Jerry’s only daughter, and he spoke many times of how he loved her very much.
Jerry continued his career as a truck driver and later was united in marriage to Cameron Coats. Jerry and Cameron had a son, Ashly, born on Oct. 2, 1983. Jerry was proud of how Ashly works hard to provide for his family. Ashly, at times, is the spitting image of Jerry and Jerry was proud of that.
One of Jerry’s biggest enjoyments in life was spending time with his dogs. These dogs gave him comfort and peace and a sense of belonging. He cared for them so much.
If the measure of a man is in the quality of his friends, then Jerry was a King among men. If you were fortunate enough to be his friend, there are no words that can explain the bond.
Throughout Jerry’s life, he met hard times that would have broken most men. He met his Lord and Savior at a country church in Raymondville early in his life, and was baptized in a creek in Texas County, Missouri. His faith never wavered and his devotion to the Christian principles that his mother taught him in his early years, and his dad later reinforced, stayed with him until the end.
“Tell me of the sorrows of your fellow man, and I will tell you how much you loved him.” Author unknown.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Bradford Funeral Home with Bobby Merckling, Casey Merckling, Justyn Merckling, Herbie Robbins, Chico Hawkins, Sherri (Merckling) Gale and Marty Merckling officiating. Interment was in the Boone Creek Cemetery. Services were under the care of Bradford Funeral Home and online condolences may be left at www.bradfordfuneralhome.net.