Featured Obituary

Services for Robert L. Jernigan, Tyler, are scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, at Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home, Tyler, with Bob Jernigan officiating; eulogies by family members. Burial will be in the Jernigan Family Cemetery at Jernigan's Double R Ranch. After a long illness, Mr. Jernigan died peacefully at his residence on Sept. 28, 2008. A longtime resident of Tyler, he was born Dec. 24, 1929, in Overton to the late Charlie Madison Jernigan and Evie Smith Jernigan.

From an early age, Robert had a great love for cattle and the land. He and his wife, Modena, established their Double R Charolais Ranch east of Tyler in 1959. The operation today includes the entire family, (four generations) children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all involved with ranching and ownership of Charolais cattle. The breeding of Charolais cattle led Robert into an illustrative career with the establishment of Jernigan Charolais Sales Management. This profession took him all over the USA and Canada in the merchandizing of Charolais cattle, breaking world records of cattle sales. Robert was also a major exporter of Charolais cattle to Mexico, providing the best seedstock of the breed for improving the cattle in that country.

He was also involved in various capacities for many cattle associations, including being a charter member and executive secretary of Bluebonnet Charolais Breeders Association, charter member and director of Texas Charolais Breeders Association, director of American-International Charolais Association and founding member of East Texas Farm and Ranch Club.

He was a member of Liberty Hill United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Trustees. Being the father of three and desiring to be involved in their education and school activities, he served on the Chapel Hill School Board for ten years and was president for four years.

He was preceded in death by daughter, Suzette Jernigan; brother, Dr. C. Richard Jernigan and his parents.

Robert's priorities were first his Lord and next his family. He loved the companionship of his large, extended family that consists of survivors: wife, Modena Clayton Jernigan; son and daughter-in-law, Robert C. and Jody Jernigan; daughter, Judy Jernigan, Jim Bolin; granddaughter, Jennifer Jernigan Harvey and husband Rick, granddaughter, Amanda Jernigan Ibarra and husband Martin, all of Tyler; grandson, Joshua Jernigan of Dallas; granddaughter, Elizabeth Jernigan Rosenblum and husband Jeff of Memphis, Tenn. The five great-grandchildren: Meagan Elizabeth Potter, Alex Belue Harvey, James Paxton Potter, Julia McKenzie Ibarra, Katie Grace Ibarra, Maggie Lee Rosenblum and Sadie Catherine Rosenblum, truly brought great happiness into his life. He especially enjoyed the opportunity to spend time most summers with his extended family fishing and relaxing in Rockport. We were all so blessed that he was able to be with all of us last summer as it marked the fiftieth year since he first introduced our family to Rockport.

Pallbearers include Joshua Jernigan, Paxton Potter, Rick Harvey, Jeff Rosenblum, Martin Ibarra and Jim Bolin.

The family wishes to express appreciation for the long, excellent care that Dr. Douglas Coltman and Dr. Ben Bridges of Trinity Clinic and Dr. David Griffith of UT Health Center provided Robert. The special, loving care given by the staff of Encompass Rehab At Home was comforting to Robert during his long illness.

If desired, memorials may be made to UT Health Center-Pulmonary, 11937 U.S. Highway 271, Tyler, 75708; or The Junior Charolais Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 20247, Kansas City, Mo., 64195; or a charity of your choice.

Robert L. Jernigan
()