Jerry Vassberg

Gerald “Jerry” Clarence Vassberg, of Lyford, TX, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 5, 2024. Jerry was 86 years old and passed away from complications of Alzheimer's and pneumonia at Windsor Atrium in Harlingen, Texas, where he had been for four years.

Jerry was born November 24, 1938, in Harlingen, TX, to Clarence and Elsie Vassberg. Jerry married Peggy Lewene “Lew” Mullins on February 25, 1978 in Lubbock, TX. They had 46 wonderful years together.

Jerry graduated from Lyford High School in 1956 and attended Texas Lutheran College; he then came home to work in the family business as a farm-powered equipment dealer. Jerry became president of Southwest Hardware and Implement Association, and he served as mayor of Lyford in 1970. As a national representative to the National Farm Power Equipment conference in Hawaii, as well as the National Farm-Powered Equipment dealership convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Jerry remained active in his profession. He was also a member of the Rotary Club, Lion's Club, and was Chairman of the American Heart Association fundraising dinner. Jerry farmed for many years on his family land, and he and Lew served on the Algodon Board as well. Jerry also worked as a general contractor for a number of years alongside Lew in her design business. He was an incredible drafting designer.

An avid hunter, Jerry practiced wildlife management and conservation. He also managed multiple deer leases and hunted whitetail deer in South Texas throughout the years. Jerry traveled to Alaska to hunt caribou and to Colorado for mule deer, as well as going fishing for halibut and salmon in Alaska; he loved to be outdoors.

Jerry and his dear friend who preceded his death, Lillian Lamon, was his adventure buddy, they parachuted, they bungee jumped, hydroplaned and anything else they could find to do to enjoy life.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Elsie Vassberg and his sister, Carolyn Vassberg Kersten, her husband Graham Kersten, and his brothers-in-law James Branham and Rodney Mullins. 

Jerry is survived by his wife Lew, sons Byron (Clarissa) and Brad, grandchildren Grant (Nicole) Vassberg, Trent (Megan) Vassberg, and Allison Vassberg Whittaker (Zach), great-grandchildren Tristan Vassberg and Desmond Whittaker, sister Nadine Branham, sisters-in-law Vicki Cook (Randy), Gail Perkins (L.V.), and brother-in-law Randy Mullins (Melinda), and Trig (his cat).

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home.  A graveside service will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at Lyford Evergreen Cemetery with Jerry's grandson Trent Vassberg officiating. A memorial service will begin at 11:00 o’clock Saturday morning at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home, San Benito, TX with Pastor Phillip Hoeflinger of First Methodist Church, in Harlingen officiating.   A reception will follow at the funeral home.

Honored to be pallbearers are Grant Vassberg, Trent Vassberg, Mark Brown Sr., Mark Brown Jr., Dr. William McKenna, Bill Elliff, Randy Cook, and Celestino Montalvo.

Lew and her family would like to thank the directors, nurses, floor nurses, nurse practitioners, and CNAs at Windsor Atrium for the wonderful care they gave to Jerry over the years he was there.