Jerry Wayne Rathel, Jr.

Jerry Wayne Rathel, Jr., 54, of Columbus, GA passed away peacefully Saturday, October 12, 2019.

Jerry was born December 8, 1964 to Patsy Rathel and the late Jerry Wayne Rathel, Sr. He was the owner of the Jerry Wayne Rathel Construction company for 30 years. His hobbies included playing his guitar, singing praise to our Father, Jesus Lord in Heaven, cooking grilled cheese sandwiches, being a dad to a ton of children, and loving his Mother Patsy Rathel. Jerry loved to talk about God and always had an outstanding dad joke ready to be said at any given moment. He loved his children, all four of them and he loved his step daughter Gracie Michelle Barnes and his dog Buddy. (RIP)

Jerry was a man of dignity and pride. He showed restraint more often than not and tried to raise his children in the way that they ought to go. He followed the Bible meticulously. Til his dying breath, Jerry Wayne Rathel ll loved God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In the words of his children, "Daddy tried and he loved us best he could." Jerry's favorite Christmas movie was The Santa Clause which he watched every Christmas on ABC Family with his family. Jerry tried desperately to be like Santa Clause when the world told him he never could be. My dad Jerry was a good daddy. He loved everyone even though he didn't agree with everyone or everything, he loved us regardless. At times he lost his temper but we all do.

He had his own sound system and was often the church DJ, while Mama sang in the choir, daddy made sure every beat was perfect. He came alive when he sang and loved a good John Wayne Western film or any black and white southern TV show for that matter! His favorite song to sing to his kids was, "It's it's Beginning to Rain" usually as an intro to a prayer or sermon just for his family. Jerry loved having church at home and he loved to go out to eat!!

Through his Jerry Rathel's Concrete Business he preserved under adversity from outside naysayers and worked regardless! He always rocked a farmer’s tan and always asked his mama to make her homemade biscuits with fresh butter and cheese grits with a few fried eggs to suit, milk, orange juice or water and he shared with his whole family because he loved seeing his children be merry. And we always prayed , unless we forgot which in that case we'd all eventually say together almost in unison something like.. "Sorry Lord for I am late, thank you Lord for the food I ate! Plus he loved Mama's cooking! After we ate, he preached.

He preached not only in the pulpit but at home too. Being a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ was his passion and he was told as a child my someone special that it was also his calling. He heard that beautiful voice and rocked the nation with sermons everyone was uncomfortable with because they were true.

He loved our mother Collette and the last thing he said to her was, "Collette, I love you baby." Their love embodies his children and our voices are heard because my daddy loved us and taught us to live for Jesus, especially when we are looked down on or discriminated against because that's when it really counts. He loved country music and had a knack for singing the blues. We all do thanks to our mother and him.

When we were kids He loved boiled peanuts and made sure all of us stopped by the Marina after church to buy a bag of those magic bags of peanuts. I guess since we loved them too it was a win, win. He was right; he was usually right except when he wasn't! In that case Mama was right! He loved to take long naps but I think it was so he could dream about his future. My fathers' last word on his breath was my older sisters name...Diana. My daddy loved her that much that she was his last thought on this earth.

Someone like my father may not have been everyone's favorite but his words carry on throughout generations. For instance I'll always say winder instead of window, and I'll always ask for half sweet and half unsweet ice cold tea. And I'll always remember to bow my head and be thankful for what we have, no matter what storm we are in because he taught us to live by Faith not by sight. He read the Holy Bible cover to cover and was obsessed with giving. So much so that when his hands were empty he was often happy because that often meant his children's hands were full.

Jerry Wayne is someone that cannot be replaced and he is missed immensely by all of his children. We will always cherish every hug our Daddy gave us. We will always dream about Christmas because Daddy and Mama made that holiday magical. Daddy dreamed of heaven and we know he made it. He is preceded in death by his best friend, Herman, grandson, Connor James Dean, brother, Stephen L. Rathel and father, Jerry Wayne Rathel Sr.

He is survived by his son, Benjamin Caleb Rathel, three daughters, Diana Rebecca Rathel Dean, Jessica Alexandra Rathel, Victoria Elizabeth Rathel, the mother of his children, Rebecca Collette Bennett Newman Rathel Tipton, grandchildren, Erika Jamie Dean, Isabella Olivia Crooke, Jacklyn Ava Prince, Jordan Elise Prince, mother, Patsy Jean Rathel, brother, Darren Patrick Rathel, nephews, Zach Rathel (Kaylyn), Michael Rathel, niece, Tiffany Leanne Rathel Hash (Daniel), great niece, Madison Hash, sister in law, Wonda Rathel, great nephew, Waylon Rathel, cousins, David Rathel, Mark McGraw, aunts, Frankie, Darlene & Geraldine, , and all of his loving friends that he always counted as family. And if our Daddy knew you, trust me you were counted as blood not water.

We pray one day we'll see you on the other side. Until then please Lord, have Daddy watch over us and his grandchildren. Rest in Heaven Daddy, you will never be forgotten and could never be replaced. You are a rolling stone, when I get there one day all I need is a hug because I'll be crying when I see you. I love you. Love always and forever your babies, your Legacy.