Jerry Willie Squyres was born in LeCompte, Louisiana, on April 15, 1944, and passed away at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas, at the age of 80, on August 3, 2024. He was the youngest child in a family of five. Jerry graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1966 with a Bachelor's Degree in English. He completed his Master of Divinity at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1971 and completed his Doctor of Ministry in 1984. In 1968, Jerry married Carol Fran Stephenson Squyres, the love of his life. They had three daughters and many cats and dogs over the 54 years of their marriage.

Jerry began his professional career as a journeyman missionary, with the International Mission Board, in Taiwan. While there, he learned to speak Mandarin and earned a diploma at the Taipei Language Institute. From 1971 to 1995, Jerry served on the staff of multiple churches in various roles in Louisiana and Texas. In 1995, Jerry began Innovative Mission Opportunities eventually transitioning to Innovative Humanitarian Solutions.

Jerry enjoyed all types of adventurous activities. He skydived in Australia at the age of 60, rode a donkey to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and even completed the MS 150. He was also an amateur photographer, taking thousands of pictures to document family and travel experiences. He also enjoyed playing the piano and gave piano lessons to all three girls and Cody.

Though he loved doing all of these things, his true passion was connecting with people to share his love of God He spent the last 30 years traveling at least 4 times a year to more than 10 different countries where he initiated projects such as building schools for children with special needs, delivering medical supplies and care, building water wells, and creating training centers to support human trafficking survivors.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Fran Squyres, his parents, Willie and Mildred Squyres, his brother, Lawrence Squyres, and his sister, Louise Hammett.  He is survived by his daughters Alicia Upchurch (husband Marcus and daughter Elizabeth), Allyson Schaff (husband Chuck and children Alex and Nathan), and Angela Waggoner (son Cody).

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 11 am at First Baptist Church, Pasadena, with visitation one hour prior to the service.

A private graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery.