J E Brasher

A light has gone out in this world, and Heaven shines brighter with the passing of J E (Jerry) Brasher on December 5, 2017. Jerry was born in 1921 in Groveton, Texas and raised in Roswell, New. Mexico. After graduating from high school, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1939 just prior to World War II. During WWII, he offered his life up countless times in the skies over Europe as a P-47 Fighter Pilot, 78th Group, 82nd Fighter Squadron, Duxford, England. He was decorated with the American Defensive Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Crosses with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters for his skill and bravery. 1st Lt. J E Brasher is listed in the Duxford Diary as one of the top 47 High Scoring Aces, accounting for half of the Duxford 667 German airplanes destroyed. Jerry's efforts helped win the war and bring peace to the nation. He returned to his country to reap the benefits of that peace, where he and Delma (Dude) Inman were married in Sherman, Texas. Together they raised two sons in a home filled with faith, love for God and respect for freedom and country. Jerry completed a successful career of 36 years with Burroughs Corporation helping that industry to enter the computer age. Suffering the lost of a son Richard Lynn Brasher in 2006, Jerry and Dude's loving marriage lasted for over 60 years until Dude's death in 2013. Both Jerry and Dude were longtime members of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Abilene, Texas. Jerry leaves behind a family missing him already as beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and father-in-law: son Steve Brasher and his wife Linda Brasher of Moro, TX; daughter-in-law Joyce Brasher of Southlake, TX; grandson Cody Brasher and his wife Heather Brasher with great-grandchildren Lennon and Dalton Brasher; granddaughter Jamie Brasher Baker with husband Jeff Baker and great-grandchildren Callie and Camden Baker of South Lake, TX; granddaughter Sommer Brasher Lapitsky with great-grandchildren Zane Slosson and Trinity Symington of Arlington, TX; and granddaughter Karie Brasher Hagy and her husband Mitch Hagy with great-grandchildren Nathanael and Paisley Hagy. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 10, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m. Monday, December 11, in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene.