Jerry Dean Wiedman

Jerry Dean Wiedman, 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Woodville, Texas, on August 22, 2026.

Jerry was born on August 20, 1948, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to Frank and Betty Wiedman. He was raised primarily in Oklahoma, a place that remained an important part of who he was throughout his life, before eventually making his home in Texas.

On April 23, 1971, Jerry married Rosalind Sue Dolan, and together they shared more than 55 years of marriage. Jerry was never much for lovey-dovey displays, but he had his own unmistakable way of showing how deeply he cared for Rosalind. If she wanted something built, fixed, cleared, fenced, mowed, improved, or otherwise made possible, Jerry usually found a way to do it. Over the years, he built fences, barns, porches, tables, horse sheds, and countless other projects, helping turn their longtime home into exactly what she wanted it to be.

Jerry spent most of his adult life in Livingston, Texas, where he lived for more than 45 years and built his business, friendships, family life, and community. His career was centered around the bowling industry. In 1980, he opened Family Recreation in Livingston, which he and Rosalind owned and operated until selling the business in 2018 and retiring. Over the course of his career, Jerry also helped build several bowling alleys around Texas.

Bowling was more than his profession. Jerry was an accomplished bowler who rolled several perfect 300 games over the years and competed in numerous national tournaments. He was also an expert bass fisherman and golfer and took great pride in all three.

Jerry loved being outdoors, especially fishing and golfing with friends. At one time, he even created his own fishing club. He could often be found working on a friend’s boat, fixing something that needed fixing, or heading out with one of his many longtime buddies. He was the kind of friend who would bend over backward to help someone, and he was fortunate to have friends who returned that loyalty. If Jerry needed something, they showed up, often at the drop of a hat.

His daily routine frequently included a trip into town for coffee and donuts, followed by a visit with a friend or a little work on somebody’s boat. Jerry always seemed happiest when he had somewhere to go, something to fix, a story to tell, or someone to make laugh.

And making people laugh was one of the things Jerry did best.

He was funny, goofy, outspoken, and never short on an opinion. His language could be colorful, his nicknames for family members even more so, and anyone who knew him knew exactly what Jerry thought about just about everything. He loved jokes, comedies, and making the people around him laugh. Through the years, he and his daughter Kristina shared many late nights watching movies and television shows together, while fishing was a special bond he shared with his son, Clifford.

As a father, Jerry was the person who came through when something needed to be done. A broken dishwasher, a car problem, a project around the house—whatever it was, he wanted to take care of it. He created a childhood full of things to do and places to explore, from boats and bikes to fishing ponds, campfires, marshmallows, and hot dogs. He worked hard to make their property not only a home, but a fun place for his children to grow up.

As a grandfather, Jerry happily embraced every grandparent stereotype. Rules became suggestions, bedtime became optional, sweets were plentiful, Happy Meals were practically mandatory, and trips to the store often resulted in a new toy. His granddaughters thought he was hilarious, and he gave them plenty of reasons to laugh.

Jerry also rarely went through life without a loyal dog or cat nearby. Animals seemed to love him, and he always had a four-legged buddy close at hand.

He was especially proud of his family, the property he spent decades improving, the business he built, and his accomplishments as a bowler, fisherman, and golfer. More than anything, though, Jerry built a life full of people who loved him, laughed with him, depended on him, and knew that when something needed doing, Jerry would figure out how to get it done.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Betty Wiedman; his brother, Thomas Wiedman; and his daughter, Tammy, who died in infancy.

He is survived by his wife of more than 55 years, Rosalind Sue Wiedman; his son, Clifford Wiedman; his daughter, Kristina; and his two granddaughters, Julia Drake and Olivia Drake.

Jerry spent most of his life building things—businesses, barns, fences, boats, friendships, memories, and a home for the people he loved. He leaves behind a family who will miss his jokes, his opinions, his colorful commentary, his ability to fix almost anything, and the simple comfort of knowing Jerry was there when they needed him.