Roll Call Tribute

Jerry Duncan Kassaw 

February 20, 1941 - October 9, 2024 

A Celebration of Life for Jerry D. Kassaw, age 83, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Stewart Family Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Ken Warren officiating. Graveside services will be held at the Cathedral in the Pines following the celebration.

Jerry was born February 20, 1941, in Hot Springs, Arkansas to the late Ollen Lee Kassaw and Murriel Stewart Kassaw. He went to be with Jesus on October 9, 2024, after battling a short illness.

Jerry Kassaw grew up in Burnet, Texas, and attended Burnet High School with his sweetheart, Erma Faris. A member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of ’62, Jerry graduated from Texas A&M University in 1964, with B.S. degrees in Civil Engineering and Architectural Construction. He married his sweetheart, Erma Faris Kassaw, on May 27, 1961, and they spent most of their days in College Station living in Married Student Housing. It was there that they made many lifelong friends. Upon graduation, Jerry worked as a civil and design engineer, including a time working with Charles F. Terry, Inc. in Dallas, Texas, where he was involved in the design of the DFW International Airport. In 1976, Jerry opened his private practice, Jerry D. Kassaw Consulting Engineers, in Tyler, Texas. He retired from Kassaw & Dietz, Inc. in 2005.

Jerry served the community in many ways over the years. He was involved with Kiwanis International locally as a Chapter President, and as a delegate to International Conventions. He served as Director of his Sunday School class, at Green Acres Baptist Church, where he and Erma have been members for many years.

PopPop, as he was known to his grandkids and great-grandkids, loved spending time with them and following whatever sport or activity they may be involved in. PopPop was an avid golfer, and played as much as he could. In fact, he shot his age three times in the last year or so, and had at least three holes-in-one in his lifetime.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Erma Faris Kassaw, son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Kimberlie Kassaw, daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Greg Teemer, son and daughter-in-law, David and Kimmie Kassaw; grandchildren, Katie Kassaw and her fiancé, Brian Williams, Tanner Kassaw and his wife, Madison, Zoe Teemer, Avery Teemer, Dalton Kassaw, Madison Chapin and husband Brody, Kelley Bullard and husband Billy Jack DeFore, and Justin Bullard; and great-grandchildren, Emaley DeFore, Kye DeFore, Weston Kassaw and Waylon Chapin, and a niece and nephew, Kristin Johnson and husband Ben, and Jon Kassaw and wife Debra.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Jan Kassaw.

Pallbearers will be Tanner Kassaw, Dalton Kassaw, Brody Chapin, Billy Jack DeFore, Justin Bullard, Ron Ethridge, Dennis Barker, Pit Gravel, Roger House, and Ken Hollis.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry’s Aggie Buddies Class of ’62.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Stewart Family Funeral Home.