Gerald Lewis Piper passed into his glorious inheritance in Christ on Sunday, December 11th in Greensboro, NC after a brief and unexpected illness. He was born on a farm on August 19th, 1936 near Vinton in Gallia County, Ohio. The sixth and youngest child of Ernest and Beatrice Piper, he grew up with one older brother and four older sisters who cared for and mothered him well. As a boy he enjoyed many adventures on the family farm. His family later moved to Columbus near the campus of the Ohio State University. Jerry became a student at OSU, worked his way through school and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Management from the School of Business. At OSU he met a young nursing student, Susie Viola Marshall, who became his wife in June, 1960.
Jerry worked his entire career as a computer systems analyst with Western Electric and its successor companies including AT&T, Lucent Technologies, IBM and Nokia. He was a longstanding and faithful member of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, children’s Sunday school teacher and in countless other behind-the-scenes service roles. He served at Urban Ministries in Greensboro for over a dozen years. He will be remembered for his faithful love for his wife, as a devoted father and grandfather, and one of the kindest, gentlest, quietest and most selfless people you could ever meet.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Susie Marshall Piper, sons, Ernest Lee Piper (Tina) and Charles David Piper (Julia) ; grandchildren, Sarah Kathleen Schmitz (Jon), Elise Marie Piper, Sofia Nichole Piper, Benjamin Jerald Piper and Amanda Ellen Piper; special daughter, Jenny Fortune Vaughan (Caleb) and their daughters, Sonia and Erika, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express deep appreciation for the care and expertise of Dad’s medical team at Moses Cone Hospital, and for the comfort offered by many friends at River Landing, at their churches and other family and friends. The family receives great comfort from Jerry’s full faith and trust in the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross for his salvation, and is confident of his reward. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
The family will receive friends at 3:00pm on Sunday, December 18th followed by a memorial service at 4:00pm at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church. Memorial gifts may be made to Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, 4800 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.
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