Jerry James Van Pelt, age 82, was called home by the Lord on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, in Webster, Texas. Jerry was born March 7, 1939 in Orange, Texas to Grace and Eugene Van Pelt. He grew up in Orange and graduated from Lutcher Stark Orange High School in 1958. Jerry married Eunice Mae Stephens in 1961, who he called his "beautiful southern belle" and they eventually had two children, Gregory James Van Pelt and Kimberly Ann Van Pelt Smith.

Jerry felt called by the Lord to join the ministry. He attended the Apostolic Bible Institute in Minnesota from 1958 to 1960, where he earned his degree. He was later ordained by the United Pentecostal Church and became a minister. Jerry joined the Home Missions organization, spreading the gospel to other parts of the country, and he moved his small family to Rochester, NY to start a church in an old storefront building from the 1930s that they renovated. The church flourished and the congregation grew, so Jerry bought a small painted white church in the countryside near the Genesee River with a steeple and a church bell—it even came with choir robes. The congregation met here and grew even more.

By the mid 1970's, Jerry felt that his Home Missions work in NY state was complete and he moved the family back to the South. Jerry accepted a position as Assistant Pastor at the Living Way Pentecostal Church in Lake Charles, LA. From there, the family moved to Pasadena, TX where they eventually settled. Jerry retired from the ministry and accepted a position with a small company as an accountant/office manager, which he did for many years with different organizations.

In the early 1990's, Jerry had a sudden back injury that resulted in lower body paralysis, a major disability that he endured for many years. He was wheelchair-bound, yet his spirit never wavered. He kept faith in the Lord—never gave up his beliefs or turned his back in anger and this perseverance was maintained until the end of his life. Jerry is eternally praising the Almighty now, along with the other saints who have gone to Heaven. He followed the call to act as the Lord's servant while on this Earth.

Jerry is preceded in death by his father, Eugene Van Pelt, mother, Grace Lee Ingram Van Pelt, sisters, Wanda Courmier, Patricia Morgan, Norma Van Pelt, and brothers Billy Ray and David Van Pelt. He is survived by his wife, Eunice Van Pelt, children Gregory (Greg), Kimberly (Kim), son-in-law Ronald Smith Jr., his grandchildren Brandon and Sterling Smith, and siblings, bother James and sister Carolyn.

Jerry's celebration of life will be held Monday, December 20, 2021, at 1:00pm, with visitation one hour prior to the service, at The Church Triumphant, 1030 Strawberry Rd., Pasadena 77506. Interment will follow on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 11:00am, at Rosepine Cemetery in Rosepine, Louisiana.