Jerry Wayne Knoerr

With hearts full of gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we celebrate the life of Jerry Wayne Knoerr, who went home to be with the Lord on March 1, 2026 at the age of 71. Born on February 4, 1955 in Forney, Texas, Jerry lived a life marked by service, faith, dedication, and deep love for family. A devoted husband for 52 years to his beloved wife, Patricia Knoerr, Jerry built a legacy rooted in faith, integrity, and commitment. His life was a reflection of his unwavering devotion to Christ, and he was passionate about sharing his faith and encouraging others to live a Christ-centered life. Attending church with family was an important part of his journey, and he found great joy in worship, fellowship, and service.

Professionally, Jerry exemplified courage and leadership. An Eagle Scout in his youth, he carried those values of honor and service throughout his life. He dedicated 40 distinguished years to the Dallas Fire Department, beginning his career with determination and steadily rising through the ranks to serve as Deputy Chief for the City of Dallas. Along the way, he was instrumental in developing the paramedicine program for the City of Mesquite on his own time-an initiative that demonstrated his vision and commitment to advancing emergency medical services for the betterment of society.

Among his many accomplishments, Jerry developed the Line of Duty Death protocol for the Dallas Fire Department, a program so impactful that it is now referenced by other departments. His outstanding service by saving others earned him the Meritorious Service Award, the Distinguished Service Award, and a Certificate of Congressional Recognition. His leadership left an indelible mark not only on his department but on the broader fire service community.

Outside of his career, Jerry embraced life with enthusiasm and joy. He had a deep appreciation for the simple and meaningful moments-spending time with family, cheering on his grandsons at baseball games and other sporting events, and traveling to the beach or embarking on cruises with loved ones. He found peace in fishing and took great pride in beekeeping. He lovingly restored a 1929 Model-A and a 1961 International Harvester Fire Truck, preserving pieces of history with the same care and dedication he showed in all aspects of life.

Above all, he cherished his family. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Knoerr, daughters Kellie Knoerr and Julie Gober, son-in-law Chris Gober, grandsons Colby and Luke Gober, mother Bettye Knoerr, uncle Richard Cole, brother and sister in law, Mike and Mary Knoerr, brother and sister in law, David and Wanda Knoerr, and two nephews Keith and Charlie Knoerr.

He was preceded in death by his father Billy Henry Knoerr.

Jerry will be remembered as a faithful servant, a courageous leader, a loving husband and father, a proud grandfather, and a man whose life reflected his deep love for Christ. His legacy of service, strength, humility, and unwavering faith will continue to inspire all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at New Hope Funeral Home, Sunnyvale, TX, with visitation beginning at 12:00pm and the service beginning at 2:00pm. He will then be laid to rest in his birthplace of Forney, TX, with a graveside service at Hillcrest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to:

The Dallas Firefighter's Museum who's mission is to collect, preserve, and present the history and cultural heritage of the Department, to honor its fallen heroes, and to provide fire prevention, protection, and all-hazards life safety education to the public. https://www.dallasfiremuseum.com/ or 

The Chaplain Elaine Maddox Line of Duty Scholarship that provides funding for the children of Dallas firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty. https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/22404/donations/new?a=4869855 or

Simply perform acts of kindness in his honor-continuing the servant-hearted legacy he so beautifully lived.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." - Matthew 25:23