Jerry Champion

Funeral services for Mr. Gerald ‘Jerry' Thomas Champion, age 64 of Cookeville, will be held Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Green Acres Memory Gardens in Crossville. Bro. Johnny Fox will officiate. His family will receive friends Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. He died suddenly Monday, October 29, 2018 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born February 8, 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late George and Laverne Klima Champion. He received a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University. Jerry worked in sales and marketing throughout his work career, serving as a district manager with Montgomery Ward and as a district manager with Electrosound. He moved with work to Cookeville in 2005 and has been working part time at Hobby Lobby since his retirement in 2015. Jerry was a lifelong Ohio State and Cleveland Browns and Indians fan. He was a wonderful person had a great sense of humor. He was an avid reader and was an especially great cook. Jerry is survived by his wife of 26 years, Janice Whittenburg Champion; daughter, Trisha Mitchell of Minnesota, son, Kevin Gehler of Cleveland; grandchildren, Corey, Raquel, Nicholas, Adrian and Izzy; brothers, George Champion, Jim (Elaine) Champion and Jeff Champion; brothers-in-law, Michael (Violet) Whittenburg and David (Lucinda) Whittenburg; and by sister-in-law, Ruth Sawyer. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931)526-6111. Share your thoughts and memories at hhhfunerals.com