Jerry R. Stratton, a Texas Baptist minister, associational director of missions and retired U.S. Army officer, died Jan. 18. He was 91. He was born Jan. 4, 1934, in Boone County, Ark., to John Robert and Lola Pearl Stratton. While attending Ouachita Baptist University, he met, fell in love with, and married Dotse Mae Benson in 1954. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He later earned a Master in Education degree from Baylor University. His military career as an officer and aviator spanned 30 years, from 1954 to 1984. His assignments included service stateside and in Panama, two tours in Vietnam, two tours in Korea and in Germany. His honors and achievements include Master Aviator Wings, Jump Wings, 24 Air Medals, two Bronze Stars and numerous other service medals. In 1986, He sensed and answered God’s call to vocational ministry. He served as minister of education and administration at First Baptist Church of Copperas Cove and was director of missions for the Tri-Rivers Baptist Area, working with 65 churches in Central Texas. In this role, he helped churches plan mission projects, organized training for church leaders and assisted churches in calling new pastors. He also served in pastoral roles for several churches including Adamsville Baptist Church and Buchanan West Baptist Church. He wrote Bible devotions that eventually were published in three volumes, God’s Daily Word. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years Dotse Mae Stratton and by his sister Barbara Stratton Sutton. He is survived by daughter Laura Nolen and her husband Michael; son Larry Stratton and his wife Kimberly; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and his brother David Stratton.
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