Jerry Wayne Honaker, Age 65, of Omaha, Ark.
Jerry Wayne Honaker, the son of Ken and Gerdi (Dietz) Honaker, was born December 2, 1960, in Pampa, Texas. Jerry was raised in Amarillo, Texas where he lived through his youth and graduated high school. Jerry loved boasting of his adventures with his sister and close friends on his Schwinn Stingray bicycle, mini bikes, his first car he bought and early working years. He developed an unparalleled work ethic from a young age that he carried with him for the rest of his life.
Jerry married Leigh Anne and had two children, his pride and joy, Tailer and Preston. Jerry loved to reminisce on the many camping trips and adventures that he shared with his kids. The passion for camping never left Jerry, nor did his love for cooking over and around a fire with family and friends. Jerry would light up when boasting about his children and grandchildren, the adventures shared and their many gifts and talents.
Jerry worked many jobs ranging from making doors, roofing (just to know how to do it), construction, cabinetry, building fighter jets at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, and finally keeping lawn mowers and small engines running in the greater Omaha, Arkansas area! Jerry worked for Lockheed Martin from 1986 to 2016 where he worked his way up to an associate manager, supervising the production of the F-35 fighter jet! Jerry was a meticulous, detail oriented wealth of knowledge. He was skilled in countless areas, excelled in all things that he put his mind to, and loved his family fiercely!
In late 2011 Jerry met Sandy Kidder while he was living in Fort Worth, Texas. Sandy fell instantly for Jerry’s charm, charisma and style. Among all of Jerry’s talents, let’s add interior and exterior decorator to the list! He could literally do it all! Jerry and Sandy married on September 22, 2012 in Red River, New Mexico. A simple picturesque ceremony in Jerry’s favorite place on earth, where he spent his childhood summers and made a lifetime of memories! When Jerry and Sandy married, he added to his tribe, between her daughters Spring and Brandy, and the whole Kidder family.
In 2016 Jerry and Sandy moved to northwest Arkansas where his retirement picture came to fruition. A home in the “mountains” on top of his little hill which served as a canvas for his craftsmanship in which no piece was left untouched by his hands. His dream of building a strip wood canoe quickly came to life after getting settled into his woodworking shop where Mystic River Canoe came to life! The beauty of his strip wood canoe was a reflection of his work and craftsmanship. I challenge anyone to find a flaw. Each strip was cut and formed by the hands of Jerry, placed, glued, fastened and fiberglassed with care. His dream became a beautiful display of a lifetime of acquired skill.
Jerry’s extroverted personality and desire for fun aided in the creation of a network of friendships that spanned far and wide. From bonfires in the backyard, cookouts “just because”, “1000-mile Iron Butt” motorcycle challenge, trips to traders days and flea markets, and of we can’t forget the motorcycle road trips to New Mexico and Colorado with his best friends and colleagues on his prized Honda GL1800 Gold Wing; the most reliable and comfortable motorcycle there ever was. He would tolerate his friends on a Harley and would keep them company when it inevitably broke down.
Jerry’s imprint on this Earth was bigger than that of Bigfoot himself. Jerry was a champion for “what is right”, a skeptic, and a self-educated wealth of knowledge. He was a master of many crafts, a talented cook, a strip wood canoe builder and wood fired smoker of all things sweet and savory. To say that Jerry will be missed is the understatement of 1000 lifetimes.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Sandy; father Ken Honaker and wife Jean; daughter, Tailer Patman, her husband Caine and their two children Tinley and Ty; son, Preston Honaker, his wife Brittney and their three children Chance, Caroline and Carter; sister, Kathy Holt, brother, Gary Honaker, two bonus daughters, and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gerdi and brother-in-law Juno.
Jerry’s faith and belief in Christ Jesus was strong and deep-rooted. On Wednesday morning April 22, 2026, the carpenters and craftsmen in heaven completed Jerry’s heavenly home. It will be the most tightly fitted, perfectly plumbed and squared log cabin ever constructed. Situated in a valley facing east, surrounded by mountains, a river filled with fish and a fire pit surrounded with chairs for his family and friends. Go rest high Jerry, your work here is done.
A Celebration of a life well lived will be held Friday, May 8, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Lead Hill, Arkansas. A time of fellowship will be held immediately following the service for EVERYONE to come and share in stories, hugs and laughter to honor our beloved “J-Dub”
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Jerry’s name to First Baptist Church of Lead Hill, Lead Hill, AR 72644 to help support their men’s breakfast, the community outreach and missions work that is done through the church.
Arrangements under the direction of Diamond State Funerals. Condolences may be left at: www.DiamondStateCremation.com
