Gerald "Jerry" W. England

The incomparable, amazing, creative, loving father and husband passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday afternoon, February 22, 2021 at his home in Brown County.

Jerry was born in Indianapolis to the late Marion F. and Flora Elizabeth England. He graduated from Warren Central in 1950 and went on to earn a degree from Indiana Central College, now the University of Indianapolis, in 1961. He later obtained his Master’s Degree in Education from Indiana State University.

While attaining his degree, Jerry captained the school's football team and track team in 1961. He was an All-Conference defensive player and Conference champion in the shot put and discus, setting school records in both.

Jerry started his coaching career at Triton North and continued at Washington H.S. and Lawrence Central H.S. coaching 3 state champions including his son. He then returned to the University of Indianapolis as the Head Track & Field and assistant Football coach mentoring ​5 NCAA Division II individual track champions and ​20 ​individual All-Americans.
A devoted coach and educator for many years he was nationally known by coaches at the college level. He was considered by many as the “Godfather of Track and Field throwing events. Jerry was a 3-time NCAA II Midwest Track Coach of the Year. 8-time Indiana Little State Coach of the Year, 8-time Conference Coach of the year. He was also USA Olympic
Festival coach in 1982 and 1983 and Meet Director of the USA-USSR track meet in 1982 and coached an Olympian athlete. Jerry was inducted into the UIndy Athletics Hall of fame in 1994 and the Indiana Hall of Fame for Track & Field in 2007.

Jerry was a longtime member of the Morgantown United Methodist Church and the Altruist Class. A talented award- winning potter in his spare time, he enjoyed throwing clay and creating beautiful, ceramic pieces. He was a member of the Hoosier Artist’s Gallery, and won several awards for his creative pieces.

Jerry was a mentor, coach, teacher and friend to many who will always remember his tough exterior but gentle heart and sense of humor. He will be missed beyond measure by his beautiful, loving wife of 68 years Fran (Wilson) England, his three adoring children, Gary, Steve and Christi (Reynolds) England. He was a wonderful grandpa to his four grandchildren, Robert England, Brittany England, Jessica Reynolds and Zviad Aznaurashvilli and adored his three great-grandchildren. They say only the good die young, but not in this case. Jerry England was definitely one of the “good ones” and lived to be 88 years old.

Memorial contributions can be made to the UIndy Alumni Association: 1400 E. Hannah Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227 or to the Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis: 3909 North Meridian Street Suite 100 Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 or to the Salvation Army of Brown County: 168 S. Jefferson St. Nashville, IN 47448.

Friends and family are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life Gathering on Saturday, August 7t​h​, 2021 at England’s Eden: 2300 Three Story Hill Road in Morgantown. Food and fellowship will begin at 12:30 p.m. with a memorial service and tribute at 3 p.m. Please bring your favorite memory of Jerry to share at the service. A throwers meet in Jerry's memory will conclude the gathering at 6:30 p.m. 

Condolences and memories may be sent to the England family at www.meredith-clark.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald "Jerry" W. England, please visit our floral store.