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 WINSTON-SALEM Aug. 15, 1940 - April 14, 2019 Mr. Jerry Eugene McLeese, 78, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. He was surrounded by his loving wife Sybil, his three children, Greg, Lori, and Ashley, and two pastors, Rev Kelly and Rev Maria Theresa. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Gloria, four grandchildren, Nathan, Erica, Zachary, and Hadley, and one great-grandchild, JT. Jerry lived a life of love and compassion. He and Sybil met while freshmen at Anderson College and were married the next year. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. He was a delight to be around. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, read constantly, was an avid Scrabble player, loved college sports, and welcomed all into his home. Jerry found joy in each job he did: sports editor, marketing manager, advocate for tolerance and compassion. Some of his legacy includes: While covering local sports for the Anderson Independent Mail in Anderson, SC, Pete Maravich was a freshman at a local high school. Jerry wrote an article, describing Maravich's accurate shooting as pistol worthy. In an attempt to be funny and creative, he coined the term "Pistol Pete," a name that stuck. While Sports Editor at the Winston-Salem Journal, he wrote about Earl Monroe, a Winston-Salem State basketball player known for being unstoppable and for his spin move. Jerry used the term "Earl's Pearls" in his article to refer to Monroe's impressive stats. Thus was born the nickname 1960's and 1970's basketball fans knew only too well, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe. While working at Wachovia in the Marketing department, he developed an internship program specifically for African American students to provide them opportunities to graduate from college with work experience. He also created the "Wachovia Cup" program (now the Wells Fargo Cup), a competition among state high schools that focused on overall sports excellence. After retiring from owning his own PR and Marketing firm, McLeese Marketing, he founded Interfaith Winston-Salem, an organization "to facilitate learning and understanding between and among the Winston-Salem belief communities and groups. We are an all-volunteer educational group that bring together members of many faith traditions - religious and non-religious - to gain a greater understanding of and respect for each other's traditions. As we better understand other traditions, we hope to develop a deeper appreciation for our own that will manifest itself in active goodwill to other individuals and to the community as a whole." We will have a celebration of his life on Monday, April 22 at Green Street United Methodist Church, 639 S Green St, Winston-Salem. Visitation with the family will be at 3:00 pm, service at 4:00 pm, and a reception afterwards. Online condolences may be made at https://lori.blog/in-memory-of-jerry-eugene-mcleese/ In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Interfaith Winston-Salem, 1959 N Peace Haven Rd, W-Salem 27103
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Bill Dunn
I remember Jerry as one of the nicest and kindest employees that I was pleased to have worked with. He invited a small group to review the many charitable requests that came to him in his position in the Marketing Department. The group quickly gained a reputation of never saying 'No.' Jerry was instrumental in getting employees to participate in fund raising events, beginning with Chicago Night in support of the Sawtooth Center. Imagine bankers gambling in a speakeasy atmosphere in the garage of the Sawtooth Center. Good fun inspired by Jerry. He will be missed.
Jerry Ayers
Jerry's kindness was evident the moment you interacted with him and his smile was infectious.I can still see him walking through the 5th floor cafetieria in his full beard, when there ws not a beard to be found anywhere else in the building. A compassionate man with stong convictions to make positive changes in his communitiy. A true Wachovian.
Janice Westmoreland
Friends since we worked together at the Journal and Sentinel beginning in the late 1960s, Jerry hired me to work with him at Wachovia twice, in 1976 and again in 1984. He taught me the true meaning of the Wachovia Spirit and instilled in me an enduring commitment to the people we served, most importantly the customers, communities and fellow employees of Wachovia. No one had a greater influence on me both professionally and spiritually.
David Cotterill
Jerry created nicknames for some of the great BB players,, my nickname for him is "Treasure". He was and his memory is, a "Treasure" to all who knew him.
I worked with him and the others on Jack Tischler's team.. a great bunch and the kind spirit was Jerry.
Our community and your family and friends miss you. .
Treasure.
Ray Cope
Jerry's PR firm did our public relations work while I was at the Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust. He recommended an author for our 5oth annerversay book. It could not have happened without his help. I will always be grateful for his help & friendship. The world is a smaller place without Jerry!