Jerry Thomas Gurney

Jerry Thomas Gurney passed away at his home in Zachary, LA on September 10, 2023 after a brief illness. He was born in Baker, LA on November 24, 1934, and grew up in Zachary, LA. Jerry graduated from Zachary High School in the class of 1952. Shortly thereafter, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served until November of 1955. He became an electrician by trade and was a member of IBEW Local #995. He worked in the industrial construction field for over 50 years. He built a 40-year career with Fluor-Daniel Corp. where he became a project manager. He and his family traveled extensively with his job over the years having spent time in the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East, and many states within the US. Jerry had a strong and fair work ethic and was well respected by his co-workers. After many years of travel, he and his wife returned to the US spending time between TX and LA where he continued to work on projects along the Gulf Coast. They then "semi-retired" back to his hometown of Zachary, LA where he continued working on small projects until he fully retired at the age of 75. He always enjoyed gardening and yard work and maintained a beautiful yard and garden of flowers, plants, fruits, and vegetables which they shared with many friends and neighbors. He also took an interest in helping his wife and her friends and family members who loved quilting. He "took over" running the quilting machine and spent many hours helping them complete many beautiful quilts. He was an active member of Masonic Lodge Plains #135 F. & A. M. and a long-time member of First Baptist Church Zachary where he truly enjoyed his breakfasts with the men from his Sunday school class. 
Jerry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marveline Ferguson Gurney; brothers & their wives, Larry & Jewel Gurney and Kenneth & Sandra Gurney; sister-in-law, Willa Dean Gurney; daughter & her husband Lisa (Gurney) & Randall Teal; sons and their wives, Randy & Pam Gurney, John & Emily Gurney; stepson, Danny Carter; step daughter-in-law, Carol (Bueche) Carter; grandchildren, Beverly (Gurney) Tschoepe & husband Eric, Randall Gurney & wife Brittany, Doug Gurney & wife Amber, Katie (Carter)Newsom & husband Doug, Shannon Carter and Charlie Teal; and great grandchildren, Autumn, John, Leah & Kyler Gurney, Mason, Colin & Kellyn Newsom and Elizabeth & Annabeth Fancher.
He is preceded in death by his parents, I.T. & Ethel (Perilloux) Gurney; brother, Ray Gurney; and stepson Steven Carter.
Visitation will be held at Baker Funeral Home, 6401 Groom Rd., Baker, LA on Friday, September 15,2023 from 9:00 AM until the Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, conducted by Pastor Eddie Wren. Pallbearers will be family members. Interment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Baker, LA.