Jerry Putman was born on November 28, 1946 to Charles and Jane Putman in Waxahachie, Texas. He has 1 sister and 2 brothers. In his early life growing up, he learned to milk cows, gather eggs from chickens on a farm, and do other chores as needed. He grew to love the outdoors and all of God's beauty. He attended Sunday school and church. My dad was as sharp as a whip, learned to love and appreciate books, and loved and appreciated an education. He loved to read different books in math, science, and anything to sharpen his mind. He truly believed that knowledge is power.
In 1965, he married the love of his life, Helen Canedo and had me, Cynthia, many years later. I was their miracle baby. I have very fond memories of my dad as a child. I used to hold on to my dad's index finger while we walked everywhere. I can still remember my mom and dad picking me up by my hands to jump over things when I was little, which is one of my fondest memories. As a little child, I had to walk many steps to keep up with my dad's pace since he was 6 foot 2 and had very long legs. One of our favorite places to visit was the San Antonio Zoo and the Japanese Tea Garden. We also went to Kiddie Park and to the different parks near Brackenridge. Another fond memory I have with my Mom and Dad is eating hotdogs, drinking hot chocolate, and watching a whole lot of Christmas movies and cartoons especially, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and A Charlie Brown Christmas.
My dad worked as a car salesman and then at the Dallas Times Herald for a very long while. He was very good at his jobs. I can remember my dad buying a brand new red Chevy vehicle and surprising my Mom and me. My dad looked so happy and my Mom's eyes twinkled so brightly in surprise.
One of my dad's favorite hobbies was collecting beautiful rocks and inventing new things for the house. He used to make machines to do work, made special lamps, and created light and other switches with special purpose. It was interesting to see him working on all of these things. He also loved to program computers. I had so many conversations with my dad regarding all subjects, especially in Science and Mathematics. Because of my dad, I have the love of Science and Mathematics, and he and my Mom taught me to appreciate learning and a good education. My Mom and Dad made me believe that I was very unique and could do anything I set my mind to. My dad taught me how to calculate Math in my head and taught me so many things! He taught me how to change a tire, fix a faucet, fix plumbing amongst a whole lot of other things, and to work very independently. I will be eternally grateful for everything that my parents taught me.
My dad had a love for Country music, old movies, westerns, nature shows, and learning channels. My Mom and dad listened to music everyday, and one of my favorite memories of my parents is my dad taking my Mom's hands and dancing with her to music in the kitchen. My dad always complimented my Mom and me and told us how beautiful we were. My dad loved my Mom's jet black hair and said she was his angel. Now my my Mom and dad are my angels in heaven.
I am so blessed to have had my dad as my father and he will be eternally in my heart and soul. He was a sweetheart.
My dad is preceded in death by his dad, Charles Putman and his wife of 47 years, Helen Putman. He is survived by me, his daughter, Cynthia Putman, his grandchildren, Christopher, Timothy, Noah, and Caleb, his Mom, Jane Putman, his sister Stephanie Moon, his brothers Charles Putman and John, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. Services for my father, Jerry Putman, are as follows— Mission Castillo Funeral Home, February 4th, 2020: Viewing is from 3 to 9 and a rosary at 7 pm. February 5th, 2020: Funeral Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 10 AM, and then a procession to San Fernando Cemetery # 2.