Mr. Jerry Wayne Brock, Sr., age seventy-five, of Smith, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at the Morristown-Hamblen Hospital in Morristown, Tennessee.

Born in Red Bird, Kentucky, on May 26, 1949, Jerry was the firstborn child for Johnie and Laura (Saylor) Brock. When Jerry and his younger sister, Betty, were small, the family moved to Baxter, KY. He attended and graduated from James A. Cawood High School, where he was a member of the golf team. Jerry then attended Southeast Community College for two years. Afterwards, he moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked for General Motors in the business office. He spent all of his free time doing what he loved most….drag racing in his purple 1971 Plymouth Road Runner.

When Jerry returned to Harlan County, it was to work in the coal mines. The mining industry was booming at that time and Jerry worked his way up the corporate ladder, eventually becoming the owner/operator of four mines in multiple states. After retirement, he enjoyed spending his time riding 4-wheelers, fishing, cooking, and took great pleasure in tending his gardens, which flourished under his green thumb. Jerry had a wonderful, outgoing personality and loved to joke and have fun. He was an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan and proudly wore KY blue.

More than anything, Jerry loved the Lord and he loved his church, the Faith Holiness Church, at Smith. He was a baptized believer who enjoyed spending time worshipping God with his spiritual brothers and sisters. He had the heart of a servant and was always found helping others and doing what needed to be done without expecting recognition.  While his absence leaves a void that cannot be filled, Jerry's family and friends take great comfort in knowing that he is celebrating with his Savior in heaven, where he was surely welcomed by his parents, Johnie and Laura Brock, who preceded him in death.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Linda Napier Brock, of Smith, KY; his son, Jerry W. Brock, Jr. (Jill) of Beavercreek, OH; his daughter, Jennifer Johnson (Tim) of Morristown, TN; two bonus-children: Franklin Smith (Tina) and Joetta Smith; four grandchildren:  Seth Brock, Adam Brock, Abby Coffey (Daniel), Joey Johnson (Vesely Surber); four bonus-grandchildren: Tristan Smith, Joey Rodriguez, Jacob Rodriguez, Jeff Smith (Brandy); two great-grandchildren: Jace and Emersyn Coffey; and bonus-great-grandchildren: Chase Smith, Raelynn and Olivia Murphy; Theo, Roman and Leam Rodriguez; Eli and Austin Riley; a sister, Betty Johnson (Clark) of Cawood, KY; niece, Kristi Farley (Rob); nephew, Josh Johnson (Tina); many extended family members; his Faith Holiness Church family; and a host of dear friends.

Visitation for Jerry will be held at the Harlan Funeral Home on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 11:00am – 1:00pm, with the funeral beginning at 1:00. Pastor Spencer Burkhart will be officiating. Burial will take place at the Salt Trace Cemetery in Bledsoe, KY, with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Faith Holiness Church, the church that meant so much to Jerry. Donations can be mailed to:

Faith Holiness Church
c/o Spencer Burkhart.

861 Hwy 3463

Smith, KY 40831

Harlan Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Jerry Brock.