Gerald Hugh Lumsden II

Gerald Hugh Lumsden II

February 7, 1939 – May 12, 2025

Gerald (Jerry) Hugh Lumsden II was born in Union City, TN on February 7, 1939, to Elizabeth and Gerald Hugh Lumsden, Sr.

Jerry was raised in the St. Louis area, often in the care of his grandparents. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Missouri. It was at Mizzou that he met Susan Jenks. They were married in September 1966 in Kansas City, MO. The following year the couple moved to Lexington, KY as Jerry took a position at the University of Eastern Kentucky teaching Sociology. Later, Jerry taught Sociology at the College of Santa Fe (NM), Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS), Wayland Baptist University (Plainview, TX), and for the Dallas County Community College District.

A position with the City of Dallas prompted Jerry and Susan to move to the Big D, where they put down roots and stayed. All the moves to and fro across the country were over.

Later, Jerry was employed by the Dallas County Hospital district. One of his main projects there was a collaboration with Dallas County and UT Southwestern to provide health care in the County’s underserved neighborhoods.

When Jerry retired in 2004, he was able to spend his time on things he enjoyed most, especially cooking! He loved all things gastronomic — reading about cooking in Cook’s Illustrated magazine, watching the PBS program, “America’s Test Kitchens”, and making what he learned. He enjoyed the hunt for unusual ingredients and acquiring professional grade kitchen ware.

Jerry liked to tinker with making furniture, and worked in his yard, tending to peach trees out front and trying to tame a very wild back yard. He was a Half Price Books lover, to pick up his favorite mystery and history books (he always had about 5 books going at once.), as well as to add to his vinyl LP collection of classical works.

In 2021, health matters for both Susan and Jerry necessitated their move to Mustang Creek Estates, an assisted living and memory care facility in Sachse, TX. Susan passed away in July 2024, and Jerry has now joined her as of Monday, May 12, 2025.

Jerry is survived by Susan’s sisters and their families: Ellen Shoemaker (Dennis), Mary Jenks, and Sara Maneval (Rick); nephews David Shoemaker (Kate) and John Maneval; niece Elizabeth Shoemaker; great niece and great nephew Sabella and Dalan Shoemaker.

A graveside service for Jerry will be at 11 am on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Rest Haven Memorial Park, Rockwall, TX. Chaplain Rodney McCullough will officiate.

The family thanks the wonderful staff of Mustang Creek Estates in Sachse for looking after both Jerry and Susan these last few years. Also, we give grateful thanks to Arabella Palliative and Hospice Care for their attentive and loving care in ministering to Jerry and Susan as well as to our family.

The family also thanks the staffs of Charles W. Smith and Sons Funeral Home and Rest Haven Memorial Park for their compassionate service and assistance.

In place of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Alzheimer’s Association.