Hi everyone. My name is Barb Jones, or better known to my older brother as Punkin. I heard of this website from Dave Pace at my brothers funeral and wanted to take a look. Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers. If you had never met Jerry, he was a remarkable man who never met a stranger. He always had a smile on his face and was always quick with a joke. In my 33 years, I never saw him mad or without a smile, he was wonderful and will be in my heart and missed by me forever. Thank you again for all of your kind words. Jerry's little sister, Punkin
I am very sorry for your loss... I can only imagine what you are going thru right now... Stay strong. I am thinking about you and your family.... your friend Jeff (otherwise known as hankcash)
Sorry again to hear of your brothers tragic accident. I can only say what has been said before. Our condolonces to you all on your terrible loss. Dave
I'm not sure if you looked around and saw the other posts, but there are a few going around right now, they are all wishing you and your family well. If you do a search for "Jerry Branson" or "Joplin" they should pop up and you can read some of the things we've all been saying since it happened. I don't think I met your brother at the HAMB drags but I remember the pair of Henry J's driving in together and it was a beutiful site. It is a shame you had to find this place under such circumstances. You and your family have my condolences.
really sorry about your loss hopefully he was an influence on someone close to him and they can put that hot rod to good use and jerry will always live through that hot rod henry j. again my condolences to the family and keep on hot roddin drew
This truly is a remarkable place even with many of us living so far apart & never actually meeting eachother, we have special kind of kinship, though we may dissagree & fallout sometimes we still hold a common bond as friends. I have only met a handful of HAMBERS while Stateside & that bond was very evident. Having never been fortunate enough to meet Jerry he sounded like a great guy & very much part of this family, i know i speak for everyone on here we have been deeply touched by this very sad loss. We can only imagine your pain & will be thinking of you & your family at this difficult time. Kev.
Hello-Barb,I only got to meet Jerry Breifly at the HAMB DRAGS in Joplin,I hope we as a group can help in you dealing with your loss.It sounds like he was a Humanitarian and someone to be proud of as a friend and a brother.I wish you and your family the best in this hard time.[Kenny Baker-Elmer Missouri].
Barb, I can't begin to know your loss. Life is weird and the older I get, the better I realize this. I HAVE learned that we all go some how, some way. Sounds like Jerry's time came way too early, but it also sounds as though he left one a good impression on a lot of people. I feel that if in a person's passing, there is one person left to remember them fondly, their life has been a success. As you can see, just on here........Jerry has left one HECK of an impression! He "done" good!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Pat
I agree with skatefink, he said it pretty good. We need more people like Jerry in this world. I wish I could have shook his hand and said thanks. My condolences go out to you and his family. shawn
I lost my sister 3 years ago and I know how you must feel. Nothing we can say will ever fill that void. I'm sure he will be missed by your family. When the holidays roll around, change up your traditions. Go out and eat or do something different.That will be the hardest time to come. If you need anything, feel free to come here and it will be done. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Root
Hi Barb, pleased to meet you. this really is a great place with a lot of good people, I hope you stick around or at least drop in once and a while. Like most here I never met your brother but from all I've read here it sounds like he was one of the good ones, we share your loss. Paul
Met Jerry a few times as I know David and Tommy well and I would see Jerry with them on occasion. Jerry came to our little car show last year all the way from Joplin (we are by Jeff city, Columbia) just to make sure we were having a good show and he had already asked for flyers for this years show....he had nothing but compliments! All I can say is the world is a better place for having had Jerry in it, he IS missed. If you need anything, let us know. Your friend- Tony Sessler (Assdragger)
I echo each sentiment expressed and the world is better for Jerry having been here. Welcome to the HAMB. Jim
Allow me to pass on my sincerest respects to Jerry, to you Barb and the rest of your family at this difficult time and to also wish you all the very best for the future, he will be missed!
Someone asked me what happened when Jerry wrecked. I suppose we will never "really" know, but here is my take on what happened. I'm sure the full police report will give us more details. Jerry was going East on I-44 at about the 45 mile marker. I stopped by there, where the wreck happened on Tuesday. I looked at the road, and the skid marks left behind. The highway there is just a very gentle slope and is very straight, it seemed as if you could see for a long way with no trouble. If I had to guess, Jerry was not pulled to the side of the road to check on anything. I think that when the semi topped the little hill that started the downward slope, he was probably going way too fast, or was possibly asleep. There was no way that he could not have seen my brother, he most likely couldn't stop. It is obvious from the black marks on the road that the semi slid for a long way. Never-the-less, Jerry was pushed to the right hand side of the highway and was ejected from the car. They said that he died instantly, probably upon impact. Jerry was very experienced at towing or pulling something behind his car (probably because most things he bought didn't run!!) He was way to careful of a driver to have made that kind of a mistake. I can****ure you all of one thing, when he passed on, he was doing what he loved. I remember one time when he drove the Henry J to my parents house (Holts Summit, by Jefferson City) and my son was about 5 years old, he said "Uncle Jer-wee, why do you drive that piece of junk, you should get a car with a TV in it!" Obviously he didn't realize the value of Jerry's "junk", and Jerry just laughed and said, "I can't watch TV and drive at the same time, besides, this old piece of junk doesn't have a plug in!!....We all knew that he wouldn't trade that car for 10 brand new ones.
There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said...you and your family have my prayers in this time of loss. Didn't get a chance to talk to Jerry at the drags last year, but I saw him having a ball running his car..if there's any consolation at least he died doing what he loved. Brian
I never met him, but it sounds like he was loved. Sorry for your bad turn in life, it will get better. Just know the people on this board are a good bunch and very sincere with their thoughts....stop by any time to talk about him if it helps....or ask if you need something....hatch
The Jalopy Journal
