Jerry Smith Harlan went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 21, 2025.

A visitation will be held Friday, February 28, 2025, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Englunds. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025, 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Slaton, Texas. Interment will follow at Englewood Cemetery.  Arrangements are by Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton.

He was born August 29, 1942, in Slaton, Texas to George and Bernice Harlan.  He occasionally attended Slaton schools and loved baseball.  His football career was cut short when he was forced to choose between practice or attending the South Plains Fair on early release day.   Jerry finally graduated to the relief of the exhausted faculty in 1960.  He planted his first cotton crop after high school graduation in May before enrolling in Texas Tech University that August.

Jerry took swift action to catch the “prettiest girl on the plains” when he met Nancy Lee Mueller on a blind date.  They married July 16,1962, after a short courtship and a quick trip to Mexico and then made their home and raised their family south of Slaton where they lived the next 62 years “mostly happily ever after.”

Jerry roped calves at every level from Jr rodeo all the way to the professional ranks of the RCA.  He was very light in the britches, but with the right set up and good draw he could even beat the “big boys.”  His rodeo memories and friends are second only to those of his family.  He prioritized his family and their wellbeing and his presence at home and children’s activities above all else.

Jerry worked briefly at Slaton Coop Gin and the Santa Fe Railroad while establishing his farm.   A great partnership with his brother and father and some good dogs wrote the next chapter of his career. The greyhound business was his primary work from 1984 to 2005, only to come full circle to his best job ever, “farming” with his brother Bobby Joe once again.

Retirement included spending time with family, good horses, beautiful Arizona winters, and great new friends.

Jerry’s greatest expression of love was making sure his family knew Jesus.   

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents George and Bernice, brother Bobby Joe and granddaughter Caroline Harlan.  He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Michele Cheatham, and son George Lee (Lezlee) Harlan, all of Slaton; granddaughters, Claire and Charlee Cheatham, and grandsons, Dr. Jack Harlan and Wyatt Harlan; sisters-in-law, Beth Harlan and Kathy (Gary) Roper; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  The family suggest memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Slaton.