Jerry Edward Capps was the third of three sons born to Kathleen Joyce and Charles R. Capps. Jerry was born in San Jose, California but moved here at seven and considered himself a native Texan. When he was 3 years old, Jerry was struck by an automobile. There were concerns that he would never walk again or have hair, but he defied the experts, so much so that he became a Junior Olympian in the high jump. The car accident and near-death experience shook his young parents to their core. They devoted themselves to their children beyond the pale, and in-turn he learned from them as wonderful role models.
Jerry excelled in school as both an athlete and a scholar. He lettered in basketball and track, setting the school record and placing second state-wide in the high jump his junior year. Jerry loved to sing and was an officer in his high school choir. It was there, in fact, that he met Kelly. Their random assignment by height on the back row of the choir risers started their deep friendship that eventually led to their tall family.
He attended Rice University. While there, he set the Rice track record for the high jump at 7’ – a record that stood for more than 20 years. He sang in choir, made friendships of a lifetime and graduated with a double-major in Economics and Managerial Studies in 1986.
Jerry and Kelly married on July 25, 1987. Jerry pursued his love of politics, and in 1989 they moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a Legislative Aide for Rep. Tim Valentine (D-NC) then Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). He believed in working across the aisle, that it was a virtue, not a sin, to join with fellow citizens to better our nation. He supported Kelly whole-heartedly while she attended law school and joked that he earned an honorary degree himself by helping her study, keeping her fed and occasionally opening the door and throwing in supplies to her study group.
When Katy arrived in 1998, Jerry discovered his talent as a Baby Whisperer, caring for Katy full-time without a moment’s hesitation. He loved being a father and resented people who thought he was a “nice guy just giving his wife a break” when he was out with his kids. He set a high and fun monkey bar for parenting. Lane filled out the family in 2000 and solidified Jerry’s position as Super Dad.
He moved his young family from D.C. back to Austin in 2002 to be close to his and Kelly’s families in Texas. The move was difficult, but he jumped in with both feet and devoted himself to what was most important to him, his children, his wife, and his family. Always a part of his daughters’ education, Jerry insisted that the girls attend the All Austin Cooperative Nursery. He loved the freedom and spirit of that school! Once they started their years at Doss Elementary, Jerry found himself a new name: The Tie-Dye Guy. An expert in tie-dye art, Jerry made t-shirts for his daughters’ classes, and eventually the entire student body well beyond his girls’ time at Doss. He served as home-room parent, grade parent, chaired PTA committees, read books to students, mentored children with speech disabilities, and helped with every field trip and class party. It is no wonder why Jerry was awarded Volunteer of the Year for Doss – an honor he cherished.
He loved being the super fun uncle in the family, but more than that, those kids loved him because he was genuinely curious about, interested in, and respectful of children. He relished helping them explore, grow, and learn. One of his happiest times in life was being a manny for his nephew, Dalton, and niece, Parker, when they were infants. When he wasn’t holding a baby on his hip – literally he had a magic bounce – he was learning and growing himself.
If he didn’t know how to do something, he just figured it out. He loved NPR and was always listening to a podcast or a good book. Jerry was a true Renaissance man, as comfortable singing show tunes as he was installing wood floors barefoot. He wrote poetry, made his family’s Christmas candy annually, and was the family tech support. Jerry was loyal, accepting and generous. He was a true advocate for women’s rights, LGBTQ+, and everyone needing a dedicated supporter. As so many people have said, Jerry was Kindness Personified.
As his daughters grew up he became a Band Dad and a Belle Dad and enjoyed every minute of being a part of the Anderson High School community. He joined Kelly at her law firm in 2018 when his daughters were both in college. He enjoyed learning about the law and as always was a caregiver to everyone at the office. In 2020, he and Kelly downsized their home and spent most of COVID renovating their smaller place … which is still not finished. Luckily his 2nd washer and dryer was recently installed in his dedicated tie-dye room, and he was able to enjoy putting it to good use.
Jerry is predeceased by his father. Remembering Jer, and loving him always, are his wife, Kelly Jones Capps, daughters Katherine Elizabeth and Lane Caroline, mother Kathleen Joyce Capps; brother Chuck and his wife Donna Capps of Aikens, SC; nephew Charlie and his wife Lindsey Capps and their children Carter and Caden of Aiken, SC; brother Russ Capps and his wife Tami Heese Capps of Ennis, MT (and formerly of Clear Lake City, TX); his nephew Cory Capps of Clear Lake City, TX; brother-in-law Chris Jones, his wife Heather Jones, and their children Hays, Harper, and Tatum; brother-in-law Austin Holloway-Jones, his husband Dana Holloway-Jones and their children, Riley, Dalton, and Parker; mother-in-law Deanne Butterfield of Austin, TX; mother-in-law Mary Jane Jones of Austin, TX; and many other beloved family members.
A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 3:00 pm at Weed Corley Fish on Parkcrest. The family invites you to wear your tie-dye best.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make donations to the following organizations: Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, ACLU Foundation of Texas, or National Public Radio.
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