Jerry Dean Rash

Jerry Dean Rash, 82, went to be with our Father in Heaven March 20, 2022.

Hazel Ervin Rash, age 21, and Arzona Velma Winters, age 18, were married April 19, 1933 near Cave-In-Rock, Illinois and to them were born seven children, five boys and two girls.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Hazel and Arzona; his brothers, James and Bobby Rash; brother-in-law, Lee Smith and nephew, Ronald Keith Darnell.

He leaves to cherish his beautiful memory, Phyllis, his spouse of 34 years; son, Jerry (Brenda) Rash; grandson, Ian; granddaughter, Zoey; stepsons, Kim Allen and Kevin (Lorri) Barnett; stepdaughter, Karol (Kenny) Clark; grandsons, Kris (Heidi) Barnett and Keith (Krystal) Barnett, Jeremiah Barnett and Colton Clark; granddaughter, Lacie Barnett; great-grandchildren, Kaleb and Eli Barnett, Gwen and Kara Barnett, and Myer Clark.

Also left to treasure Jerry’s memory is his sister, Myrna Smith; brother, Benny (Margaret) Rash; sister, Ella Darlene (Jim) Werner; brother, Billy Wayne (Kim) Rash; nephew, Lonnie Joe Darnell; niece, Carolyn Lynn Osman; nephew, Donnie Rash; nephews, David and Kevin Rash; niece, Jennifer Rash; nephew, Joey; nephew, Michael Werner; niece, Kimberly McClendon; niece, Sherri Schuthers; nephew, Curtis Rash; and sister-in-law, Diane Rash.

Jerry was a very proud U.S. Marine, but was very passionate about being known as a National Square Dance Caller for 41 years.  His career was teaching all levels from beginners through Challenge Square Dance Calls. He started lessons in Roswell, New Mexico in January 1972. By September 1972, Jerry started his calling career.  By 1973, he was calling for clubs in Artesia and Roswell, New Mexico and guest calling throughout New Mexico and West Texas.

Jerry moved to the Rio Grande Valley in November 1976. He called square dances and taught classes at Alamo Rec V, San Juan Gardens, and Orange Grove. To help families in need at Christmas, in 1992, Jerry raised enough money to adopt fourteen families that year with food and clothing.  One young man always wanted to have a bicycle and that year, through Jerry’s fundraising efforts, he received one. Jerry also helped organize blood donations.

To one of many special square dances, he invited couples who were married fifty years or more; ninety couples attended the event. It was a free square dance complete with cake and ice cream.  The honorees’ names were written on all the cakes. Over five hundred people attended and Jerry interviewed each couple. A couple from Canada received special recognition for having been married sixty-seven years. At the close of the event, all the special couples received a very special surprise – an opportunity to renew their wedding vows. A spokesperson from one of the local television stations attended, it was truly a fun event.

Jerry also raised money to go toward putting together care packages for our troops. Each care package consisted of items like toothpaste, soap, razors, lip-gloss, video games, and granola bars for our troops. Jerry was always involved and loved people.

From 1976 through 1989, Jerry traveled six months a year throughout the U.S. and Canada calling special dances and bringing people to South Texas.  Some highlights were the Minnesota State Festival (two times), the Missouri State Festival, the Utah State Festival (3 times), the Oregon Winter Festival, and numerous Federation and Association dances.  From 1984 to 1997, Jerry conducted a winter and summer dance program, calling seventeen sessions each week during the winter season, at Lakewood RV Park in Harlingen, Texas.

He was a member of Callerlab, the international association of modern western square dance callers, and recorded on Sun RA and Cimarron Records. Jerry and Phyllis were co-owners of Lakewood RV Park where Jerry was Resident Caller and Phyllis was Park Manager. They both enjoyed the fun and friendship square dancing brought to their lives. After leaving Lakewood RV Park, Jerry and Phyllis moved north to be near their children.

Jerry continued his square dance calling for clubs and, every July, he would invite square dancers to his home for a “Rash Bash” which featured wonderful food (Jerry loved to cook and was very good at it) and square dancing. About two hundred fifty people attended the first Rash Bash on Jerry and Phyllis’ two-and-a-half acres. It was a “bring your own lawn chair” affair. Square dancers drove from across the U.S. and Canada to attend Rash Bash. Some stayed in local motels while others drove their RVs to the event.

After a while, Jerry began to miss the Rio Grande Valley so he and Phyllis returned as Winter Texans. Jerry loved the Valley people and started to teach new beginners square dancing in RV parks, having Luaus and Western Fiestas, and having so much fun with square dancing, food, and friendships. Jerry’s square dancing expanded across the U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and to cruise ships.

“Jerry loved the Lord and sang in many churches.  He is now with our Heavenly Father. He was the perfect husband and the love of my life and I thank God for Jerry. He is greatly missed.” – Phyllis Rash.