Jerry Lee Mara

Jerry Lee Mara, 83, retired dairyman and rancher died on March 7, 2025.

Jerry was born on November 21, 1941 to Jewel and Frances Mara in Decatur, Texas and grew up attending Decatur schools where he graduated in 1960. At the age of 15, he owned and operated his own dairy farm which eventually grew into two dairies until 1968 when he reduced the number of cattle and consolidated back into one dairy. In 1961, he earned his FFA American Farm Degree and was chosen as Texas’ Star American Farmer. Jerry attended Decatur Baptist College where he met his future wife Kay. They married July 1, 1961 and had three children.

Not only was he a dairy farmer and a cattleman, he was a deacon at First Baptist Church of Decatur, a member of the Wise County Sheriff’s Posse, and sat on the Texas Maine-Anjou Association board of directors.

He is survived by his wife, Kay, of Decatur; a daughter, Sheri Mara of Wilmington, North Carolina; a son, Perry Mara of Decatur, and daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Buck Britt of Sante Fe, NM; grandchildren, Matthew and Lynne of Decatur, David and Elena Britt of Albuquerque, NM, and Ty Britt of Sante Fe, NM; a great-granddaughter, Ellisyn Britt.