Gerald "Jerry" Thomas Locke

Gerald (Jerry) Thomas Locke, 84, born March 10, 1940, passed away on January 17, 2025. Jerry was the son of the late John Franklin Locke, Sr. and Nancy Mae Thomas Locke. He was the grandson of Henry Jefferson Locke and Margaret Annie Simpson Locke on his father’s side and William Calvin Thomas and Zillah Frances Parker Thomas on his mother’s side. Jerry was born in Chester at Prior Hospital and lived his entire life in the Rodman community on the farm of his great-great grandfather, Josiah Locke, grandfather H.J. Locke and father, J. F. Locke, Sr. He graduated from Oakley Hall Elementary, Lewisville High School, Pulp and Paper Correspondence course and numerous workshops. After high school graduation, Jerry went to work at the newly constructed Bowater Pulp Mill where he worked for 41 years. Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margaret Carolyn Knox Locke; two children, Dean Locke Jackson (Steve) and Tommy Wesley Locke (Marsha); three grandchildren, Jordan Locke (Sara), Julie Locke Chapmon (Bryson) and Margo Jackson. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Franklin Locke, Jr. Jerry, Carolyn, Dean and Tommy spent many years camping, boating or traveling with tour groups. After Tommy and Dean grew up, Carolyn and Jerry got into clogging, traveling with a clogging team and later formed their own clogging team. Jerry and Carolyn formed a camping group called “The Beach Bunch” who traveled the east coast and Hawaii. In later years, his joy has been time spent with his grandchildren, Jordan, Julie and Margo watching them excel in school, band, music and sports. Jerry’s funeral service will be held at Union ARP Church in Richburg, SC on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Visitation with family and friends will be held following the burial at the graveside. The family would like to thank the church members from Union ARP Church, Edgemoor ARP Church and Neely’s Creek ARP Church and our family and friends for your continued prayers and support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union ARP Church, 3594 Lancaster Hwy., Richburg, SC 29729 or Rodman Community Center, 2532 Rodman Rd., Chester, SC 29706 or on the Rodman Community Center website. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.