Gerald Wayne (Jerry) Stoudemire, 79, of Little Mountain, widower of Faye Counts Stoudemire, died June 25, 2026, at his home.

Born on September 5, 1946, in Newberry, SC, he was the son of the late George Marion and Dorothy Ann Greenwood Stoudemire.

As a 1964 graduate of Mid-Carolina High School, he worked on the planning committee for his High School Class Reunions for many years, and although his health was failing, his classmates and friends meant so much to him and he was determined to attend his 62nd Class Reunion, and he made it- just five days before his death.

In his teen years, Jerry loved fast cars and building them, and for many years he competed in Drag Racing with his partner Gene (Pee Wee) Boland. He continued until he married and his children were a few years old.

Jerry worked most of his adult life as a Tool and Die Maker starting with Rockwell International. When their power tool division was acquired by Cooper Industries in the early 1980’s, Jerry then worked for Cooper Tools until he retired. He was an avid hunter and firearm enthusiast for the majority of his life and was a very skilled, knowledgeable and widely sought out gunsmith. He also owned and operated Little Mountain Gun and Supply since the late 1980’s. He owned and operated it with his late wife until her death in 2022, and then with his daughter until December 2024, when his health would no longer allow him to continue.

He was an NRA Benefactor Life Member; President of Gun Owners of South Carolina; a charter member of the Mid-Carolina Friends of the NRA (SC-1, the first established in SC); a Certified SC Concealed Weapons Instructor; and a Certified NRA Firearms Instructor.

Jerry was very dedicated to Public Service for the majority of his life. His father was a founding member of the Little Mountain Volunteer Fire Department when it was formed in 1961. Jerry wanted to join then but was too young, so on September 23, 1964, immediately after his 18th birthday, he joined the department. For more than 52 years he served in various capacities, including twenty-six years as Chief, until his retirement in 2017. During that time, he served for twelve years on Newberry County Board of Rural Fire Control, which two and a half years were as Chairman. While serving as Board Chair, he was instrumental in creating the Newberry County HazMat Team. Jerry served more than 10 years as a Volunteer Instructor of Basic Training for the Newberry County Fire Service. He remained an Honorary Lifetime Member of Little Mountain Fire Department until his death.

Jerry is survived by a son, Gerald Douglas (Kim) Stoudemire of Chapin; a daughter, Anne Stoudemire (Robbie) Dunton of Little Mountain; a brother, Mickey Stoudemire of Little Mountain; grandchildren, Bryce Stoudemire, Cole Stoudemire, Taylor (Kailey Purvis) Dunton, and Aindrea (Philippe) Hochadel; a great-granddaughter, Marleigh Jade “MJ” Dunton; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Betty Amick, his companion who provided loving care for the past few years.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends afterwards.

The family will hold a service on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery to bury his remains.  All are invited to attend.

Memorials may be made to Little Mountain Fire and Rescue, 219 N Boundary Street Little Mountain, SC 29075