Jerry Ray Brookshire

Jerry Ray Brookshire, 83, of Fountain, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 22, 2025, after a life well lived--- mostly outdoors, often barefoot, and always on his own terms.

He was born on January 14, 1942, in Birmingham, Alabama, and from the start, he was the kind of man who preferred the outdoors to just about anything else. Whether it was fishing quietly at dawn or setting a fire to a patch of overgrown land “just to clean it up”, Jerry believed in getting his hands dirty and living close to the land. Jerry was a man of simple pleasures. All he needed was a cold beer, a hot steak, and an Auburn game on the TV. If you added in a fishing rod and a brush pile that needed burning, he’d call it a perfect day.

He believed steak should be cooked over the fire, beer should always be cold, and fish should be caught early before the sun was too high. Football Saturdays were sacred. Jerry didn’t just watch Auburn football games; he lived them. When Auburn scored, he’d throw his hands in the air and say “Now that’s football.” And if they lost? Well, you'd better just walk away.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and Howard Brookshire; siblings, Betty Barksdale, Peggy Sue Brookshire, Tommy Brookshire; daughter, Belinda Etheridge Portwood; granddaughter, Karley Johnson; and his fishing buddy, Lesley Portwood.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Brookshire; his children, Bart Brookshire, Kent Ethridge, and Brooklyn Brookshire; his daughters-in-law, Tanja Bacani and Melinda Bruecher; his grandchildren, Easton Brookshire and Taylor Geren; his sister, Judy Brookshire Praytor; and several nieces and nephews.

Come join us from 11 to 4 Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Ferus, 101 Beech Street, Suite 111, Trussville, AL, 35173 and help us celebrate the life and legacy of Jerry Brookshire with good food, cold beer, and a whole lot of Auburn spirit! We’ll have Auburn colors everywhere, stories to share, and plenty of laughter — just the way Jerry would’ve wanted. Bring your appetite, your memories, and your love for a great man.

War Eagle!