Jerry Joe Homesley, 70, of Elkins, Ark., answered the Lord's call on March 4, 2019 at his home in Elkins. Jerry was born August 23, 1948 in Fayetteville, Ark. to John and Geneva Homesley. His parents and younger brother, John David Homesley preceded Jerry in death.
Jerry graduated from Nathan Hale High School, Tulsa, Okla. in 1966. He received an Associate degree in industrial electronics from Tulsa Technical College, Tulsa, Okla. in 1968. Jerry continued his education at Oklahoma State University, Tahlequah, Okla. majoring in math and geology. He was a NASA board-certified solderer.
He served in the US Army 1969-1972. He deployed in Germany as part of the Hawk Control Missile Readiness Unit. Jerry was honorably discharged as a Specialist 5 rank and received an Expert Rifleman commendation.
Jerry worked for several Tulsa oil and gas research companies from 1972-1999. With Geophysical Research Corporation, he built an automated parking meter and was the electronic lead with TRW on a gas pipeline "pig" used to detect underground pipeline corrosion.
In 1999, Jerry joined the University of Arkansas Chemistry-Biochemistry Department as a Master Scientific Research Technician where he worked for 16 years, retiring in 2015. The Mole Street Journal, published by the University of Arkansas Chem-Biochem Department, described Jerry's work as "most important responsibility was to always ensure that students and professors could prove their research on equipment that was working accurately and consistently".
Jerry, Dr. Wally Cordes and Chancellor Dave Gearhart managed the research, building and installation of the Tower Clock in Old Main in 2010 as part of the Campaign for the 21st Century. The clock was completely handmade by the Balzer Clock of Maine, one of the very few companies in the world who design, handcraft and install massive tower clocks. Jerry was the clock caretaker from 2010-2015.
A private family graveside service with military honors will be held under the direction of Beard's Chapel. Pallbearers include Brad Aguillard, Darren Claybrook, Duane Claybrook, Gary Geise, Worden Parrish and Forrest Reed.
The family requests that donations be made in Jerry Homesley's name to the Boy Scouts of America, Westark Council, 1401 Old Greenwood Rd, Fort Smith, Ark. 72901 or by contacting Dr. Wes Stites, wstites@uark.edu (Dr. Stites will respond to direct contributions for the Old Main Tower Clock Care Fund). Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.

Published March 9, 2019