Gerald Brooks "Jerry" McMath

Gerald Brooks (Jerry) McMath, age 90, of McQueeney, Texas, passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 21, 2026, at his home in McQueeney. He was born on September 19, 1935, at Ft. Sill Army Base in Lawton, Oklahoma to Colon Randolph McMath, Sergeant in the U.S. Army, and Faye Lula (Adams) McMath.

Jerry moved around with his military family living in Lawton, Oklahoma; California; Yokohama Japan, and Virginia Beach, Virginia. He joined the Army in Virginia and was assigned to Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas in 1958. He loved the desert and remained there after he was honorably discharged in 1962. Jerry married Karen Carpenter on March 10, 1981 joining two families in an eternal bond. He and Karen relocated to Long Branch, Texas in 1994. In 2016, they relocated again to McQueeney, Texas.

He graduated high school from Yokohama High School and received his Associate’s Degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) before joining the Army. He served for approximately three years achieving the rank of Sergeant and then continued to serve the Army as part of the Air Defense School as a tactics instructor until he retired.

Jerry’s relationship with his Lord, Jesus, guided him all his life and was his first priority. He surrendered his life to Christ while a boy in Lawton. He served as a deacon in First Baptist Church, El Paso; Central Baptist Church, Carthage; and McQueeney Baptist Church, McQueeney. He taught children, youth, and adult Sunday School classes and home Bible-study groups at FBC El Paso. He invested his life in the Royal Ambassadors missions organization for boys and participated in numerous local and international mission trips to meet people’s physical needs and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He served as a dedicated Gideon for many years in Carthage and McQueeney, in partnership with Karen.

Jerry loved sports of all kinds but particularly basketball, where he excelled. He was a starter on the Yokohama High School basketball team and coached youth and men’s basketball teams through FBC El Paso leading multiple men’s teams to the Texas State Finals.

He loved the outdoors, hiking Mt. Franklin, Hueco Tanks, the Gila Wilderness, McKittrick Canyon; playing with his family and friends at White Sands, Cloudcroft NM and Ruidoso NM; and riding motorcycles everywhere. When he and Karen built their house in Long Branch, he spent his time driving an ATV through the property chasing pigs, examining adjacent oil wells, teaching his grandchildren about God’s creation and taming the forest.

Most of all, Jerry loved people. His quick smile and handshake put everyone at ease and feeling accepted. He was firm and fair in raising his family and made “being there” for them a priority. He taught his children and grandchildren about integrity, family honor, following God, working hard and doing what’s right.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, brother Colon Randolph McMath and sister Ida Faye Barrett.

He is survived by his wife, Karen McMath; son Bryan Randolph McMath and wife, Kay; son Sterling Brooks McMath and wife, Traci; Step-son Michael Trevor Carpenter and wife, Danyel; Step-daughter Michelle Lynn Just and husband Edgar; grandchildren Rachel Brooke McMath, Ethan Randolph McMath and wife, Xeniesha, Andrew Richard McMath and wife Katy, Hope Elise Carpenter, Liberty Shea Carpenter, Shelby Brooks Just, Travis James Just, and Levi William Just; and great-grandson Quinten Randolph McMath.

The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Jerry’s part-time caregiver, Mike Adams, for his tireless and patient care for the past year and half. His companionship to Jerry brought great peace to Karen and joy and laughter to Jerry who had someone with whom he could cut up. We are indebted to him.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Trevor Carpenter officiating. Interment will follow in Long Branch Cemetery.