Jerry Lee Damson lived an extraordinary life. The only child of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Damson, he was born on January 24, 1939, in Huntsville, AL. A proud Huntsville native whose family dates back to 1801 in Madison County.
He attended Mrs. Mary Bierne Cook’s kindergarten in her home on McClung Avenue. He loved to tell how she would pick him and the other children up from their homes and drive them home after school. He also enjoyed talking about the “red cup” that Mrs. Mary Bierne would award him for good behavior. From there, he attended East Clinton Elementary School until eighth grade. He attended Columbia Military Academy in Columbia, TN, from eighth grade through twelfth grade. After many miles of walking around the bull ring in full military regalia, for disciplinary action, and a handwritten letter to his twelfth-grade teacher in hopes of a passing grade, he graduated from CMA in 1956. He attended Auburn University for one year.
A salesman at heart, he began selling cars in 1960. He opened his first used car lot in July of 1961. Upon being drafted into the United States Army, he attended Army cook school at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was stationed at Fort Hood, TX, for ten months as a cook, where he prepared three meals a day for 2,300 troops.
On February 11, 1963, he married his sweetheart, Butch Kohler. Their love and devotion to each other has been an example to everyone. During their 61 years of marriage, they successfully raised two kind, loving, and compassionate children, Deke Damson and Susan Damson Park.
A successful businessman with a clever sense of humor, quick wit, a teacher of life lessons, and a heart of gold, he loved his family with his whole heart and was most proud of them.
He is survived by his two children, Deke Damson (Danielle) and Susan Damson Park (Bruce); six adoring grandchildren who affectionately called him “Big”: Brandon Lee Damson (Kathryn), James Kohler Damson (JoAnna), Alexandra Day Damson, Patton Park Hammitte (Samuel), Sumter Damson Park (Taylor), May May Park; and ten great-grandchildren: James Lee Damson, Liam Blake Damson, Eleanore Elizabeth Damson, Otto Brandon Damson, Kohler Rhett Damson, Philip Reynolds Damson, Ruby Daly Damson, Samuel Taylor Hammitte Jr., Harry Damson Hammitte, and Susan May Hammitte.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Paula Throneberry and Tammy Sharp for being wonderful caregivers.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2300 Beasley Ave. NW, Huntsville, AL 35816. There will be a private family Funeral Mass.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Burritt on the Mountain (3101 Burritt Drive SE, Huntsville, AL 35801); Holy Family School Building Fund (2300 Beasley Ave. NW, Huntsville, AL 35816); or Not One More Alabama, Inc. (P.O. Box 161, Huntsville, AL 35804).
