Jerry Allen McLain

2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Jerry Allen McLain (74) of Church Hill, TN went home to be with the Lord on September 24, 2023, at Holston Rehabilitation and Care Center in Kingsport, TN.

Born in Sullivan County, TN on June 30, 1949, to Edward T. and Blanche Mitchell McLain. Known by Jerry to some and Allen to others, he would live most of his life in Hawkins and Sullivan County, TN.

He is preceded in death by both of his parents; sister, Shirley McLain; in-laws, Gale and Cora Bledsoe Roller.

Jerry is survived by his wife Brenda Roller McLain; sons, Donald “Donnie” A. McLain (Laura) & Kevin M. McLain (Ashley); sisters, Ileen Fletcher & Dorothy Summers (Lanny); brothers, William McLain & Edward McLain (Joyce); grandchildren, Megan Smith (Wesley), Emily McLain, Leah McLain, Carter McLain, Jake McLain, Matt McLain & Luke McLain; aunts, Naomi Blevins, Lola Henry & Brenda McLain; nieces, nephews, cousins, lots of friends, & many special Vietnam Veteran brothers.

Drafted into the Army in 1969, Jerry served in the Vietnam War the entire year of 1970 as an 11C Infantry Mortarman with the 25th Infantry Division, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regulars, “Deeds Not Words”. Stationed in III Corps in South Vietnam, he would serve at Cu Chi, Tay Ninh, Xuan Loc, Long Bien and would be a part of the invasion into Cambodia. This would begin a lifelong dedication of service to his country. He then joined the Army Reserves and served in Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq with the 639th Transportation Company, out of Kingsport, TN. Jerry would transfer to the Tennessee Army National Guard and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, “I Volunteer, Sir!”, out of Kingsport, TN. He would retire from the military in December 2005 with over 37 years of service. Jerry retired as a fireman for Eastman Chemical Company after 34 years.

The McLain family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Tonya Carr, Amber Goode, RN and all the wonderful nurses with Amedisys Hospice. We also want to give many thanks to the doctors and nurses at Holston Valley Medical Center and Holston Rehabilitation & Care Center.

Those wishing to pay their respects to the McLain family are welcome to visit from 10:00 – 12:00 PM on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Johnson-Arrowood Funeral Home in Church Hill. We will be leaving the funeral home at 12:00 PM going in procession to Mountain Home National Cemetery with Bro. Ed McLain officiating, and a eulogy will be given by R.B. Louthian. Jerry will be buried at 1:00 with full military honors performed by American Legion Hammond Post #3/265 and honors by VVA 979.