He is survived by his loving wife, Carole; his children, Audra Pinson (Bill) and Mark van der Vlugt (Erika); his grandson Will Pinson; his cousin Judi Eitel, and many relatives in the Netherlands.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gerard “George” and Bertha Goding van der Vlugt; and his sisters, Joanna van der Vlugt Barrow and Katie van der Vlugt.
Jerry was born in Palm Beach County, FL, but his family soon moved back to Nashville where he graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1959.
After finishing his education, he joined the U.S. Air Force to serve his country. He met the love of his life, Carole Anne Crosswhite, while stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. They married and raised their children in Burns, TN. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Dickson.
Though Jerry spent most of his life in Middle Tennessee, he was a “Florida boy” at heart. He and Carole enjoyed many winters in Florida with their special Florida friends.
Jerry thoroughly enjoyed his career with the US Army Corps of Engineers. At the same time, he had two enduring passions that never left him – his family and aviation. He was without a doubt the best husband, father, grandfather, and father-in-law imaginable and his love will remain with his family forever. His other passion led to a long career as a pilot with Darrell Waltrip Motorsports.
Jerry’s smile, twinkling blue eyes, kind heart, and dry wit will be missed by all who knew him.
Arrangements are through Taylor Funeral Home in Dickson, TN. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to:
· First Baptist Church of Dickson 2501 Hwy 70 East Dickson, TN 37055
· Humane Society of Dickson 311 Tennsco Drive Dickson, TN 37055
· Vanderbilt University Medical Center Memory and Alzheimer’s Center
https://give.vanderbilthealth.org/
· Vanderbilt University Medical Center 7RW ACE Unit
https://give.vanderbilthealth.org/
