Jerry Defries

Jerry Edward DeFries, 59, of Marmaduke, died Saturday, April 10, 2010, at St Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was co-owner of Franks Transmission and owner of DeFries Competition Automatics. He was a long time drag racer and loved hunting and fishing. He was born July 30, 1950 in Paragould. He is preceded in death by his father, Harold Edward DeFries and brother, Gary DeFries. Survivors include his mother, Mildred DeFries, daughter and son-in-law: Gena and Lonnie Parrish; son and daughter-in-law: Jeremy and Ashley DeFries; sister: Judy Hamilton, all of Paragould; brothers: Jimmy DeFries, Rick DeFries, both of Marmaduke, Mike DeFries, Randy DeFries, both of Paragould, Keith DeFries of Marmaduke, Kevin DeFries, of Paragould; granddaughters: Shelby, Madison, Carson, Hadlee; grandsons: Drew, Jalen and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, at Heath Funeral Home. His life will be celebrated at a graveside service at 2:00 PM Tuesday at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, with Rev. Kim Bridges officiating. Pallbearers are Johnny Damon, Zack Burgess, Joe Dollar, Terry Barner, Jimmy Hardin, and Gary Priest. Honorary Pallbearers are Lee Fuller, Danny Barnhart, Fred Shannon and Gary Derr. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. www.heathfuneralhome.com .