Jerry Hilson

Jerry Hilson left us here to decipher unusual car noises all on our own May 21st, 2019. God must have had an engine problem He couldn’t figure out by Himself. We fully trust that Jerry has already thanked Walt for all the Magic and jawed with Dale about what happened to racing when he left. We know everyone laughed when he yelled “42” in the lunchroom. Those devastated in the tsunami of our loss include: His beloved Wife, Sweetheart and Girlfriend of 44 years, Brenda, his son Bryan “Leroy, Jr., BJ” Hilson (Carri) of Monroe, his daughter Kim “KD” Milhouse (Chad) of Monroe, his 5 grandchildren and lights of his eyes, Katrina, Hailey, Iwan, Surely (Hilson) and Connor (Milhouse), his brothers Vic Hilson of Florida, Bill Hilson of Oklahoma, and sister Sharon Hilson of South Carolina. The few that beat him to the checkered flag of life include: his mother Shirley Hilson, his father Wilbur Hilson, and his brother Bernard Hilson. After being employed by Hendrick Lexus for 25 years, you know Jerry as a strong, steadfast and loyal friend to most, brother to a select few and a mentor to many. As a man of exacting standards, he could be challenging to please, but the sun would quickly pale in comparison to a look or comment of his approval. You also know him as a great storyteller, and one of the few who could take you on a journey, perhaps even one you had been on before, and leave you chuckling in the end. To us he was a vigilant assessor of the legality of hay bales, and the greatest Disney tour guide to have ever lived. No professional race car driver will ever compare for us; the man could safely drive to Orlando with his eyes closed. He was a fiercely proud Dad, a tender loving Papa, and a doting Grandpa. Jerry had a soft spot a mile wide when it came to anything his girls asked for, and we are simply wrecked he couldn’t hold off sleep long enough to teach his grandkids behind the wheel. We ask that in Jerry’s honor, and in lieu of flowers, you take a moment to visit ARDSglobal.org, watch or read about the syndrome that stole him from all of us, and donate to their research and awareness campaign in his memory. A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 2:00PM in Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC. The family will visit with friends directly following the service. Dress is “Race Day” casual. Online condolences can be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service is caring for the Hilson family.