Dr. Jerry Wayne Wesson

Dr. Jerry Wesson, 85, died in Longview, Texas, on April 20, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, Effie Mae Adams Wesson and William Covie Wesson. Dr. Wesson was born in Sulphur Springs, Texas, on June 20, 1940, and graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1958. In 1961, he married Barbara Ann Wasson of Wolfe City, Texas. They were married for 64 years. In 1958–59, Jerry worked full-time for the FBI in Washington, D.C., while attending George Washington University. He later transferred to East Texas State University (now East Texas A&M University), where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. While there, he was a member of Delta Tau Delta, Alpha Phi Omega, and Kappa Delta Epsilon, and served as president of both his junior class and his graduate class. In 1972, Jerry received his doctorate from East Texas State University. Jerry joined the faculty at Eastern Illinois University for two years and later served as Assistant Dean of Men at Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas. In 1966, he was part of the original administration team of the first college in the Dallas County Community College District—El Centro College. During his nineteen years at El Centro, Dr. Wesson served in several leadership roles. In 1984, as one of the founding administrators of Northeast Texas Community College, he began work there and later retired in 1997 as Vice President of Student Services. During his thirty-five years in higher education, he also held numerous leadership positions in state and national professional organizations. After retiring from Northeast Texas Community College, he served for two years as a Municipal Judge in Mount Pleasant. During the 41 years he lived in Mount Pleasant, Jerry was active in numerous civic and service organizations. He served in the Rotary Club, where he was president in 1987, was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 1988, and was recognized as Rotarian of the Year in 1996. He was an executive member of the Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Leadership Mount Pleasant. He was also deeply involved at Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Administrative Board, a lay speaker, and a Sunday school teacher for many years. When Jerry was not working or serving in the community, he enjoyed reading, hunting, fishing, motorcycle racing, cooking, and spending time with his family. Jerry is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; his son, Randall Scott Wesson, and daughter-in-law, Karin, of Sedalia, Colorado; four grandchildren, Kelsey Wesson Collier of Castle Rock, Colorado, Allison Wesson Leino of Clayton, North Carolina, Jacob Wesson of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Jenna Wesson Rodriguez of Castle Pines, Colorado; and four great-grandchildren, Aaron Collier, Levi Collier, Charles Wesson, and Addison Wesson; and his sister, Ada Jones of Plano, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm at Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant. Following the memorial, A short graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 4:00PM at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Wolfe City, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Dr. Jerry Wesson Honors Scholarship at Northeast Texas Community College or to Tennison Memorial United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, Texas.