GERALD ‘JERRY’ ALLARD
Gerald “Jerry” Allard, 90, passed from this life December 22, 2025 surrounded by his family. Jerry was born in Nasonville, RI, the sixth child of Narcisse and Marie Allard. He graduated from Woonsocket High School, meeting Barbara, the love of his life, on their daily bus rides home. After graduation, Jerry enlisted in the Marine Corps where he specialized in avionics and aircraft instrumentation systems. He was a career Marine, retiring as a Master Sergeant after 21 years of service, which included tours of duty from Hawaii to Okinawa, Japan, to Quantico, Va., Beaufort, S.C., and Millington. During this time, he and Barbara started their family and raised three children. After leaving the Marine Corps, Jerry began a new career in instrumentation and process controls, working for several companies in the Memphis area. He also completed his lifelong goal of attending college and was a proud graduate of Christian Brothers University. As retirement neared, he oversaw the building of his and Barbara’s dream home in Burlison. His leisure years were spent traveling the world with Barbara, playing golf at Glen Eagle in Millington, and on his tractor maintaining his property. He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Frayser. Jerry is survived by his three children; Jeff Allard (Kendall) of Pikeville; Mark Allard of Randolph; and Leslie Addison (Stan) of Piperton. He also leaves seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Barbara. Visitation was held Dec. 27, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. A short service followed, with a military burial at Randolph Cemetery in Randolph.
THOMAS ROY HICKOK
Thomas Roy Hickok, 81, entered the Kingdom of Heaven in the early hours of December 17, 2025, at Memphis East Baptist Hospital. Thomas was born on May 18, 1944, in Omaha, Nebraska, to his mother, Bernice Mae Hickok, and his father, Robert Dixson Hickok, who preceded him in death. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his dear first wife, Mary Lou Hickok, two half-sisters, and one half-brother. Thomas is survived by his beloved wife, Betty Hickok; his three children, Angela (David) Bragaw, Tammy (David) Brockman, and Bill Hickok; grandchildren John T. (Shea) Bragaw, Brittany (Jamie) Mathias, Allora (William) May, Cecil (Winnie) Brockman, and Ty Hickok; as well as eight great-grandchildren—five boys and three girls. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Darrell (Diana) Roberts and Tracy Roberts; step-grandchildren Dean Roberts, David Roberts, Kara Goddard, and Ashley Bahr; and seven step great-grandchildren—six boys and one girl. Thomas lived a life full of love and adventure. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and National Guard. Professionally, he drove truck for more than four decades. Of his many accomplishments, his greatest was the family he built, the lives he touched, and the compassion he shared with everyone he met. Tom was resilient and hard-working, devoting his life to those around him. He was a genuine man who never failed to show up and always offered a helping, loving hand wherever he could. His guidance, faith, and legacy will continue to live on through all who knew him. We are forever proud of the devoted and loving father, grandfather, and husband he was. He will be dearly missed. Visitation was held on Dec. 22, at Munford Funeral Home with services.
JAMES EARL HOLMES
James Earl Holmes, 73, of Millington, passed away on December 16. 2025 at his residence. There was a visitation for Mr. Holmes on Dec. 26 at Jefferson Mortuary, Inc., in Millington. An additional viewing took place on Dec. 27 with a funeral at Jones Grove M.B. Church, 366 Simmons Road, in Munford. Interment followed at the church cemetery. Jefferson Mortuary, Inc. had charge.
PAUL STANLEY KNIGHT
Paul Stanley Knight, 69, of Munford, passed away on December 18, 2025, at Methodist North Hospital. The family received friends on Dec. 22, at Munford Funeral Home Munford Chapel. A service was held on Dec. 23, at Munford Funeral Home Munford Chapel. The interment was in Helen Crigger Cemetery.
JAMES ‘JIMMY’ JULIUS LONG
James “Jimmy” Julius Long, 78, passed away on December 21, 2025. Jimmy was a cherished father, grandfather, brother, and friend, whose presence brought joy and warmth to everyone around him. A celebration of life to honor Julius was held on Dec. 30, with a service at Munford Funeral Home, Millington Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Julius’s memory to a charity of your choosing.
DOROTHY RUTH PEETE
Dorothy Ruth Peete, 77, of Millington, departed this life on December 17, 2025 at Methodist Hospital in Germantown. A visitation was held on Dec. 26, at Raleigh Community Church of God In Christ, in Memphis. Funeral service was held on Dec. 27, with viewing and funeral at Raleigh Community Church of God In Christ. Jefferson Mortuary, Inc. had charge.
FRANKLIN ‘DUTCH’ SCHROER
TDCM Franklin “Dutch” Schroer USN (Retired), 102, died on December 22, 2025. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Elsie (Craig); daughter, Tanya Lynn Wellman; Sisters, Carol (Boynton), Mary (Bowman); brothers, Paul Schroer, Philip Schroer and Dave Schroer. He is survived by one son Larry Schroer (Anita); stepson, Robert Shears; and two grandchildren, Angela Anderson (Bill) and Jason Hickey (Genna); and five great grandchildren; one son-in-law, Wally Wellman. Franklin was born in Northern Illinois in 1923, raised in Pearl City, Ill., and after graduation from Pearl City High School, joined the Navy in July 1941. In high school he played basketball, softball, and track. He also played the trombone in the school concert band and sang in the boy’s glee club. After bootcamp at Great Lakes he was trained as an aviation mechanic at the Navy school at the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI. After further advanced training he was sent to the South Pacific and worked servicing Naval fighter aircraft on Guadalcanal during the battle for that island, he also served in the Fiji Island and the Russell Island before returning to the United States. He then served in an operational training squadron training PBY seaplane airship in Jacksonville, Florida. Postwar he served on the USS Bennington and in airship squadron ZP-1 before changing his specialty to TD (Training Devices). He twice taught electronics in the advanced for TD school at NATTC Millington, Tennessee. While there he was selected for advancement to E-9 in 1958 and was among the first group of 146 Navy Chief’s promoted directly from E-7 to E-9. He served 20 years before retiring from NATTC Millington in 1961. He immediately enrolled under the GI Bill at then Memphis State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1962. He was hired by the Memphis City Schools to teach a new course in Vocational Electronics at Tech High School. He also taught adult students in electronics in evening classes. He enrolled in the Southern Illinois University Carbondale summer program and after graduating with a master’s degree in industrial education in 1966 was promoted to Instructional Supervisor of Vocational and Industrial Arts for Memphis City Schools. He served as a part time instructor of Vocational Education Teacher Training at the State Technical Institute at Memphis. He was promoted to director of adult and vocational education for MCS in 1978 and retired from there in 1984 after 22 years of service. Master Chief Schroer was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Assoc. for career and technical education, Iota Lambda Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi and AARP. Schroer was an avid golfer and was a serious hobbyist and was skilled at repairing and building custom golf clubs. He scored a hole in one on the same day as he shot his age at 91. During his service years he played fast pitch softball and was a member of the NAS Memphis team that played in the Southeastern Regional All Navy Championship. He was an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction. Schroer was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church. He had long held an interest in choral singing beginning in high school and was a member of the 100-man Great Lakes Choir during boot camp and several church choirs including St. Luke. He worked for many years as a volunteer in the Tax preparation assistance program operated by AARP. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donation may be made in his memory to St. Luke Lutheran Church, 2000 N Germantown Pkwy, Cordova, TN 38016.
