Jerry Preslie Hill

Jerry Preslie Hill of Dallas, TX, born April 16, 1939, died on April 4, 2023. He was 83 years old and had lived a long and meaningful life that touched many. Jerry was born to Viola Youngblood and William Preslie Hill in Gilmer, TX. He grew up in Gilmer in a loving family where he was the youngest of four children. He distinguished himself in high school with a keen intellect and a talent for acting. He later earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin. Jerry was somewhat unusual in that he had a knack for language, literature, and mathematics. He considered math "simply another language" and once one understood the rules, he would sometimes say, it could be applied similarly. Jerry would go on to earn a double-masters from the University of Southern California in both mathematics and English in the early 1960s. He did this in part due to federal grants enacted by the Kennedy and Johnson administration that expanded programs for teaching math and science. Earning this degree gave Jerry an enormous advantage as a teacher as it allowed him the rare flexibility to teach at the high school level in either field, thus doubling his opportunities. Over the years, his expertise in teaching mathematics became highly coveted by multiple school districts. He also taught Greek mythology and SAT preparatory courses for high school seniors. Towards the end of his career, which spanned well over 50 years, Jerry taught in lower-income neighborhoods working with economically challenged children in “second chance" programs. He worked tirelessly to help some of the neediest and most vulnerable in his community graduate and improve their lives. It is no understatement to say that Jerry's efforts enriched countless people, thus enabling and inspiring thousands to reach their full potential. He taught so many people over the years that on occasion he would have his name called out, “Mr. Hill!” while shopping in a store in Dallas. To his surprise, he’d then be greeted by an ex-student that had recognized him and wanted to thank him. After college, Jerry married Sonia Lynn Holcomb and moved to Los Angeles, CA, in the late 1960s where they started a family and had two boys. In 1977 they moved to Singapore where both taught at the Singapore American School from 1977-1980. In 1980 they returned to the United States separately and after a short stint in California Jerry moved back to Texas so he could be near his two sons, who were then being raised by their mother. Jerry took an interest in photography in the late 1970s and had some of his work published in professional travel magazines. Over the course of his life, he printed and framed several of his favorite photographs, which spanned locations across nearly every continent. He was a deep believer in the power of travel to expand one's understanding of the world and its peoples. Jerry believed such experiences were a powerful tool that promoted peace and understanding across cultures. Next to his teaching for over half a century, his world travels were one of his proudest and most cherished achievements. That, and his family. Jerry is survived by his sons Garth and Eric Hill; his grandchildren, Ellis Jackson, Olivia, and Graham Hill; and his sister, Gwen Keel. Private arrangements are under the direction of McWhorter Funeral Home. Please visit Jerry’s online registration book at www.mcwhorterfh.com to leave a memory for the family.

Jerry Preslie Hill

April 16, 1939 - April 4, 2023