Jerry Dalton (J.D.) Proffer was born September 10, 1931 on the homestead to Samuel Manfred Proffer and Celia Fern (Delisle) Proffer. He was educated at Oak Valley just east of where he was raised. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1949. He met his future wife Corene thru his cousin Doris, and she became his “Christmas Present”, marrying her December 21, 1952 at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Gainesville. He served in the United States Army from July 29, 1953 to June 21, 1955 in the Korean War. While he was away, his oldest son Jerry Don was born. He only saw him thru pictures Corene sent him until he came home when Jerry Don was 16 months old. Dalton received his Agriculture Degree from Texas Tech in Lubbock in 1956. They lived in several Texas towns from Alice to Gainesville where they have lived the last 53 ½ years. He has been a farmer raising cattle, peanuts, and hay to having a dairy, to his own business, Proffer Ford Tractor at 3 locations in Gainesville, in the late 60’s and 70’s. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and served as Deacon for many years. He worked for the United States Postal Service, starting in Denton, and later transferring to Gainesville where he retired in 1991, then having Proffer Towing in the 90’s. Officially retiring from the towing business in 1995. For the past 23 years he has enjoyed being a grandparent, great-grandparent, to enjoying life on the farm, traveling with his wife, to taking care of her at the home for her last 3 ½ years of life.
He is survived by his son, Jerry Don and wife, Gwenna of Gainesville, son, Stanley Dwayne and wife, Kathy of Austin, daughter, Rhonda Sue Hise and husband, Larry of Wichita Falls, son, Rodney Glenn and wife, Laura of Denton, sister, Paula Whitley of Gainesville, fifteen grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Corene, in April of last year, his parents, brother, Finley, sister, Anita, grandchild, Jessica Leigh Hise, and three great-grandchildren, Raynee Grace Sills, Jack Connor Sills and baby Proffer.
Services for Dalton will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at Meador Funeral Home of Gainesville. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville. A time of visitation for friends and family will be held one hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church and Future Farmers of America.
Love this man and his family.
It’s hard for us when we lose someone, but they rejoice. So sorry for your loss.
So very sorry for your lose!! Prayers for comfort at this time. He is safe at home with Jesus!!
So many sweet memories of Uncle Dalton popping in at the office to ask Tim about his tractor, to bring by a watermelon or just to chat about nothing in particular. Always a smile and an encouraging word from one of the hardest working men I’ve ever known. I know he’d have rather been on his tractor when it was his time to go but he traded his desires to care for the darling of his life until she went to be with the Lord, she mattered more than anything to him. Not many men left like Uncle Dalton and he will be missed!
Keeping you all in my prayers! We love you! ?❤️❤️
Sending prayers to the family!
a very dedicated man was well liked by everyone he met will be dearly missed
May he rest in peace. Goodbye to a kind and wonderful neighbor.
I am so sorry for your families loss. It is so hard to lose your parents especially so close together.
I will be praying for your family.
Uncle Dalton you are so loved and will be so missed. You and aunt Corrine are together again.
Love you always Uncle Dalton. Tell everyone hello for me !
Jerry Don,
Bobby and I are so sorry we were unable to attend the service for your dad. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ronda Sue, Rod, Jerry Don, and Stan,. I didn’t make it to the service for you Dad. Jan told me how pleasant it was.Your dad and mom were true friends.I will always remember them with thankfulness for having known them. ‘ Only a dad with a tired face, Coming home from the daily race. Bringing little of gold or fame, to show how well he has played the game. But glad in his heart that his own rejoice. To see him come and to hear his voice. Only a dad,. but he gives his all, To smooth the way for his children small. Doing with courage stern and grim, the deeds that his father did for him.This
is the line for him I pen. Only a dad, but the. best of men.. By Edgar Guest