Jerrel Newton McBrayer

Jerrel Newton McBrayer, 85, of Oroville, California died on December 19, 2017. He passed away peacefully while napping during a football game on T.V.

Jerry was born in Healdon, Oaklahoma in 1932.  In 1937 his family moved to Arizona where he graduated with the class of 1950 from Yuma High School.

In 1952 he enlisted in the Navy where he worked in the engine room. Later during his service he learned the skill of underwater welding before concluding his service in 1956.

In September of 1956 he met the Stunning Betty Lou Rocha, and married her two weeks later. They were married for 44 years until her passing in June of 2000.

Shortly after their marriage, Jerry began his career as an agent with State Farm Insurance; where he later advanced to agency management.  He retired in 2001 after more than forty years of service with the company.

Jerry was an avid fisherman from a young age, and as an adult taught his children and grandchildren to fish. He enjoyed many years of out of state hunting with his sons & friends in Colorado, Wyoming & Montana for deer and elk.  He frequently donated excess meat from his trips to the local mission.

He was involved in his community where he coached Little League for several years and served as President of the Durham Little League association.

 Jerry and Betty encouraged their children to engage in many diverse hobbies including; snow skiing, water skiing, motocross, football, baseball, music, drama and horseback riding.

In 2000, Jerry began the next chapter of his life with the Beautiful Gloria McManigal. They married October 11, 2008. Jerry and Gloria traveled internationally to 20 different countries and obtained their goal of visiting all 50 US states.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents John “J.N.” Newton McBrayer & Revia Josephine Cahill McBrayer Grady.

Wife, Gloria McManigal of Fairfield, CA.

Sister, Vergie Doris Musgrave of Yuma, AZ.

Daughter, Tracy “Kali” Starr, husband Kevin of Decatur, IL, & granddaughter, Tiffany Shell Watkins of Knoxville, TN.

Son, Jerrel Scott McBrayer & grandson, Chance Scott McBrayer of Oroville, CA.

Son Cully Newton McBrayer of Oroville, CA & granddaughters, Candace Marie Sowers, her Husband Josh of Wartrace, TN, & Haley Lou McBrayer of Chico, CA.

Great grandchildren Cassandra Leigh Fredericks, Zack James Dickinson, Tyler Andrews Sowers of Wartrace, TN & Maya Rae Koshak of Chico, CA.

Interment will be at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico, CA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his honor to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

P.O Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38105 or donors@stjude.org                                      

Phone (800)-4STJUDE

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