Paul Durward Jernigan, Jr. (P.J.), 67, of Houston, Texas, passed away on March 9, 2015. He was born on April 3, 1947 in Columbus, Texas to Paul Durward Jernigan, Sr. and Joy Augusta Foster, who passed away later that year. He was raised by his father and step-mother, Ada Belle Isgrig Jernigan.
P.J. graduated from Spring Branch High School in Houston in 1965. While in high school he played the string bass in the orchestra and took pipe organ lessons. After graduation, he was employed by Reuter Organ Company of Laurence, Kansas. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1967 – 1971. Once discharged from the service, he attended the University of Houston and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. He worked for Visser-Rowlan Associates until 1978 and then for Casavant-Freres Ltd. from 1978-1990. At this point, he became self-employed, and was until his death. His company, Paul Jernigan Pipe Organ Technicians, restores, builds, and relocates pipe organs. Throughout his career, he has installed pipe organs in places as far away as Bar Harbor, Maine and Irvine, California. He was the organist of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church of Houston for 20 years, having built the organ there. P.J. will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by sister, Eva Jernigan Hoffman of Evergreen, Colorado; brother-in-law, Gerald Lea Hoffman of Evergreen, Colorado; cousins, Michael Johnston of Ft. Worth, Texas, Robert Johnston of North Carolina, Brenda Howard of Columbus, Texas, Linda Howard Owen of San Antonio, Texas, David Howard of San Marcos, Texas, Ken Vincent of Houston, Texas, and Yvonne Vincent Quigley of Bracketville, Texas; business partner and friend, Shawn Sanders of Atascocita, Texas; along with numerous other relatives and a host of friends.
P.J. will be escorted to his final resting place by pallbearers, Cody Howard, Tyler Howard, Bob Johnston, Michael Johnston, Colin Renner, Justin Sanders, Shawn Sanders, and Zackary Sanders. Honorary pallbearers will be, Gerald Hoffman, David Howard, Clint Howard, Phillip Johnston, Ken Vincent, and John Quigley.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm, Friday, March 13, 2015, at Pat H. Foley Funeral Home. Services will be held at 1 pm, Saturday, March 14, 2015, at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. Burial will follow in South Park Cemetery in Pearland, Texas.
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