Jerry Preston Deese, 63, died Monday Sept. 17, 2012, in Cherokee, N.C.

A funeral service will be held 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, at Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at the funeral home.

Deese was born January 28, 1949, in Chesterfield, a son of the late William James “Rusty” and Juanita Cassidy Deese. He was a retired construction iron rigger. Deese attended Bethel United Methodist Church. He was a charter member of the Bay Springs Volunteer Fire Department, and was an active member since 1986. He was presently serving as Safety Officer and Board member, and also served as former Chief and Assistant Chief. Deese was a gun and knife collector, and enjoyed spending time in the mountains. Jerry never met a stranger.

He is survived by a wife, Doris Parks Deese of the home, son, Jerry C. Deese of Houston, Texas, stepson, Jack (Cathy) Johnson of Chesterfield, two stepdaughters, Sandra Johnson (Pap) Harrison and Necci Johnson (James) White, both of Cheraw, seven grandchildren, great grandchild, brother, Ray (Oletta) Deese of Patrick, sister, Helen (Kendall) Moore of Chesterfield, one niece and three nephews.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Chesterfield County, P.O. Box 293, Chesterfield, SC 29709 or to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield, is serving the family.