Jerry Wayne Duck

Published 11:57 am Thursday, January 9, 2025

FRANKLIN – Jerry Wayne Duck passed away peacefully in his home with his loving husband, Hugh Copeland, by his side on Jan. 6, 2025. Jerry was loved by all who met him. had a wonderful smile, a wry sense of humor and always had a story to tell about his and Hugh’s latest adventure of which there were many. Jerry and Hugh loved taking the train to New York and seeing the newest Broadway shows, many times more than one show per day. Their favorite places to vacation were Zihuatanejo, Mexico and Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Another beach that was dear to Jerry’s heart was Hatteras, where he and Hugh got married.

Jerry Wayne Duck

Jerry was born in Franklin and graduated at the top of his class from high school. He then went to Old Dominion University and then became an accountant. He retired from being an internal auditor for Medical Facilities of America in 2016. In addition to skills in accounting, Jerry was an excellent writer and organizer. And for the past 30 years, Jerry used all of his many gifts to help his husband develop and grow The Hurrah Players to become the community asset it is today. He managed all of the bookkeeping and audits, wrote grants and organized the signature annual trip to NYC for Hurrah families at Thanksgiving. Jerry also loved Christmas. Each year, he and Hugh converted their house into a Christmas wonderland and hosted a party for Hurrah families to thank them for their dedication to Hurrah. Jerry’s involvement in The Hurrah Players was wide and deep and he will be dearly missed.

Jerry was a grateful heart transplant recipient in 2016. His new heart gave all of the people who love Jerry eight more years of wonderful life experiences with him.

Jerry also loved all of his family. In addition to his husband, Hugh, Jerry is survived by his sisters-in-laws, Ann Duck, Marcia Carpenter (Walt), Peggy Hedrick (Randy); nieces, Shannon Rose, Brandi Duck, Nicole Carpenter (Eric), Ashley Cordova (Ramses); nephews, David Hedrick (Meaghan), Scott Hedrick (Brooke); great-niece, Avery Rose; great-nephew, Brantley Gray; aunts, Helen Holland and Glenda Carr, many cousins and countless friends including his lifelong soulmate, Joyce Carter. He was preceded by his parents, Morris Randolph Duck and Lorraine Carr Duck; his brother George Morris Duck and Hugh’s parents Deborah and Estes Copeland.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. at Christ and St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 560 W. Olney Road, Norfolk. A reception will follow at The Hugh R. Copeland Center, 112 W. Wilson Avenue in Norfolk’s NEON District. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hurrah Players Jerry Duck Memorial Scholarship Fund, 128 W Olney Road, Norfolk, VA 23510. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hdoliver.com