Cletus Thelton Jernigan

In the words of the Man himself: (Verbatim)

I retired from the US Army in 1992 after completing 38 years of active service.  I started as a Private and became a First Sergeant in my 14^th year.  I performed 1SGT duties for 3 years at 3 different infantry companies in the 82^nd Abn Division.  I then went to staff positions at the 18^th Abn Corps Hqs at Fort Bragg North Carolina.  I was later assigned to the 101^st Abn Div and became the only Non-Commissioned Officer to be appointed to be the installation project officer for implementation of the Direct Support System at Fort Campbell.  Upon successful implementation of the DSS I received a direct appointment to Warrant Officer by the Secretary of the Army.  I retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four.  My awards include 33 different medals including 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal, Legion of Merit, plus many others.  Overseas assignments were Alaska 3yrs, Panama, 2yrs, Viet Nam 3yrs, Europe 26yrs.

In the words of Phillip Y. Jernigan:

A great man died Easter Sunday.  A man of integrity, wit, compassion, and love.  This world will not be the same without Cletus Thelton Jernigan Sr.  I say with an incredibly sad and profoundly lonely heart that this world was a better place with my father.  This world lost a true Patriot, a family man, a Christian.  My father was many things to many people.  He was a provider, a companion, a source of wisdom, and a man of love.  He loved his wife’s, he loved his kids, and he loved his God.  He died the same day that our Lord and Savior rose.   If I ever could be the man, my father was on this earth then perhaps I would have accomplished something in my life.

God Bless Cletus Thelton Jernigan Senior.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen Jernigan and his son Mark A. Jernigan.  He is survived by his wive, Helen Nelson Jernigan, four children Catherine Bilbrey, Phillip Jernigan, Jay Jernigan, and Cletus T. Jernigan Jr.  Also surviving is eleven grandchildren, Rachel Jernigan, Lillian Slobig- Carrell, Stephen Bilbrey, Michael Bilbrey, Matthew Bilbrey, Phillip York Jernigan II., Jay Antonio Jernigan-Cruz, Giselle Jernigan-Cruz, Cletus Jernigan III, Ashley Jernigan, and Cheyenne Jernigan.  Funeral services will be conducted on Friday April 9, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the chapel of Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Clarksville, TN.  Visitation will be for the hour prior to services at the cemetery chapel.  Military honors will be provided to Mr. Jernigan.  Arrangements are under the care of Gateway Funeral Home and Cremation Center  335 Franklin Street  Clarksville, TN  37040.  Phone 931-919-2600.  Online condolences may be made by going to www.gatewayfh.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Judes Childrens Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.