Jerry Bob Register

Jerry Bob Register, 82, of Huntsville, Texas, passed away on March 27, 2025. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Jerry was also a decorated U.S. Army veteran, accomplished athlete, and dedicated attorney who practiced law for 53 years. Born in Lufkin, Texas, on October 20, 1942, to Claude and Minnie Withers Register, Jerry was one of seven children. He graduated summa cum laude from Lufkin High School in 1961, where he was an All-State baseball player. At ten years old, he played PONY Baseball, and from that moment on, he did nothing but win titles. His first of three national championships came in 1957 in Washington, PA, at the PONY League World Series. He hit five home runs in four games, setting the record for most home runs in a single series. His home run records stood proud and untouched for 56 years. Two years later, in 1959, he won his second national title playing graduate ball. He continued his baseball career at Sam Houston State University, where he was a catcher and outfielder for the first and only SHSU baseball team to win a national championship in 1963. He not only won another national title but also earned several individual accolades. In 1964, he was an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, leading his team in batting average. Playing on the national championship baseball team remained the highlight of his college years. He graduated in 1965 with a B.S. in Mathematics and was named in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. In 1965, Jerry was pinned with second lieutenant bars and served for five years in the U.S. Army, ultimately attaining the rank of Captain. He served for a year in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star Medal, but it was while stationed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that he had an experience that helped shape his future. As a headquarters battery commander with the 45th Artillery Brigade, a Nike Hercules missile unit, he was called upon to testify in a military court proceeding on behalf of one of the soldiers under his command. "That trial piqued my interest in law school," he later recalled. After his military service, he used his GI Bill benefits to attend Bates College of Law at the University of Houston, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 1972. After graduating, he became an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, and his years as a prosecutor were some of the most enjoyable of his career. After leaving the DA's office, he worked for a Houston law firm and also as a solo practitioner for several years until, in 1980, he established his own law practice in Huntsville, Texas. He was later admitted and qualified as an Attorney and Counselor of the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, on September 25, 2000. Jerry was honored at the 2022 DSGPLWS Opening Ceremony. PONY was a significant part of his life, partly because of his mother's deep involvement in youth baseball. "PONY had a special place in his heart. His mother was hugely involved in kid baseball." He was accompanied by his brother, Joe Lee, on his trip to Washington, PA. The brothers donated countless items to the PONY Museum, where they remain on display. Jerry was honored during the Opening Ceremony on Friday, August 12, 2022, in front of the crowd at Lew Hays PONY Field. A lifelong supporter of SHSU athletics, Jerry was inducted into the Sam Houston State University Hall of Honor in November 2021. One of his prized possessions was a baseball bat commemorating the 50th anniversary of SHSU’s national championship baseball team. An avid golfer, Jerry was a longtime Elkins Lake Country Club member and had the rare distinction of making two holes-in-one. He also earned a Club Championship at Elkins Lake. He was known among friends as an avid storyteller and a devoted Houston Astros fan, eagerly anticipating their Opening Day in 2025, which happened to be the day he passed away peacefully with his family by his side. Jerry’s advice to young kids just starting out in the sport was simple yet profound: "If you can't love it, don't mess with it." Jerry is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Sue Register; his sons, Christopher Lynn Lara and wife Jeannie Williams Lara, Heath Lara and wife Kristi Renee Lara; and his daughter, Karen Ann Lara. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Darian Sable Williams, Cali Elizabeth Hollers, Peyton Thomas Lara, Christian Kennedy Lara, Cruise Thomas Lara, Katie Nicole Aden, and Gavrielle "GG" Grayce Flisowski; great-grandchildren, Easton Scott Womack and Everli Brooke Hollers; and his siblings, Joe Lee Register and wife Barbara Register, Joyce Lynn Burnett, Claudia Luce, and Charlotte Arnold and husband Johnny, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Rita Wheeler, and his brother William Charles Register. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville. Visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M., followed by the service at 11:00 A.M. Jerry embodied the Code of Sportsmanship throughout his life: "Play fair. Honor your team. Keep your composure. Train hard. Stand tall in loss. Stay humble in victory. Live with integrity, strength, and purpose." Now, Jerry is playing all the golf and baseball again in Heaven. We will deeply miss our hero, Jerry Bob Register, here on earth, but we know he is watching over the family he left behind. We will carry on his legacy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Jerry Bob Register to PONY Baseball and Softball League or a future endowment account for the Baseball Program and ROTC at Sam Houston State University, to be set up by the Register family in the near future. Memorial condolences may be made to the family at www.shmfh.com. The services will be available to view by live stream at the following link, approximately 10 minutes before the service: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a25043990560064

Jerry Bob Register

October 20, 1942 - March 27, 2025