Jerry Jonell Bozeman

Jerry Jonell Bozeman, 82, passed away on November 12, 2024. She was born December 7th, 1941, in Tulia, Texas, to Julia Nell and Roscoe Addington Cosby.

A graduate of Tulia High School's Class of 1960, Jerry was the drum major for the Tulia High Marching Band and played clarinet in the Texas University Interscholastic League State Band. She also played on the Tulia Hornets Girls' Basketball Team. After graduating, she attended Baylor and Texas Tech University, earning her Education degree from Texas Tech in 1964.

That same year, she married her lifetime friend, Melvin Bozeman. She began teaching at Tulia’s grade school while Melvin farmed in western Swisher County. The couple later moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Jerry worked at the Gilcrease Institute of American History while Melvin attended Spartan College on his GI Bill. They then relocated to St. Charles, Missouri, where their first son, Heath, was born while Melvin worked for McDonald Douglas Aircraft and Jerry taught in the local school district.

In 1970, the family returned to Texas, settling in Plainview where their second son, Wade, was born. Jerry earned her Master's degree in Special Education from West Texas A&M in 1979 and taught at Thunderbird, Highland, and Lamesa Elementary schools. Following Melvin's tragic death in an aircraft accident in 1991, Jerry pursued further education, earning another Master's Degree in Child Counseling from North Texas State. She became a licensed child counselor and certified play therapist, counseling children in the area through her private practice and training others through the Association of Play Therapists.

In 1998, Jerry married Dr. Alonzo “Lon” Jones, a family physician. Together they founded XLEAR, developing a nasal wash to prevent ear infections and hearing issues. The couple traveled worldwide, providing training in ear care and child development. Jerry and Lon also devoted time to working with Romanian orphanages through the Presbyterian Church USA and NOROC.

While not traveling the world, she greatly enjoyed spending time with her sons, stepchildren, and grandchildren, especially during the holidays and summer.

Jerry was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Michael Cosby; and her first husband, Melvin Bozeman. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Alonzo Jones of Plainview; her sons, Heath Bozeman and wife Kelley of Plainview, Texas, and Wade Bozeman and wife Lisa of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and five grandchildren: Heather Bain and husband Ty, Piper, Benjamin, Eli, and Hanna.

Memorial Service will be Saturday, November 16th, 2pm at the Frist Presbyterian Church in Plainview, Texas.