Jerry Wayne VanHoosen, age 78, of Kennewick, Washington, passed away on May 5, 2024.

Jerry was born on June 9, 1945, in Twin Falls, Idaho, and served in the Air Force from 1963 to 1965. Following his military service, Jerry worked at Air Products and Chemical in New Orleans, Louisiana, until 1976 when he was called into the ministry.

To become an ordained minister, he pursued higher education at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, while working full time as a Preacher/Pastor at Oak Grove UMC, Campti UMC, and First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches, La. After graduation he moved his family to Colorado. He served as associate pastor of Westminster United Methodist Church while attending Denver University's Iliff School of Theology.

After his time in the Ministry, Jerry moved back home to Kennewick, WA. He worked for the State of Benton Franklin Human Resources Department as the drug and alcohol programs administrator until his retirement in 2010.

Jerry was known for his love of golf, bowling, and his mischievous sense of humor. He enjoyed being disagreeable and ornery, exaggerating stories, and engaging in "friendly" banter with those around him.

Jerry is survived by his loving life partner/spouse, Duangjai (Lek) Land, his sons Jerry Wayne VanHoosen Jr. of Erie, Colorado, and Paul Matthew (Matt) VanHoosen of Lafayette, Louisiana, as well as his siblings Melvin (Speedball) Stewart Jr., Diane Sanderson, Carmen Brown, Darian Shayne Daniel, and several other family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his life partner/spouse Peggy Ann Nichols, parents Paul Neil VanHoosen and Nettie Louise Darrah, step father Melvin Stewart, sister Paula Nebeker, brothers Bruce Munger and Tracy Stewart, and sister Gail Turner.

Memorial services for Jerry will be held at 1pm on May 25, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Kennewick, Washington. The corner of Kennewick Ave and Dayton St.