Poppa Jerry: the sugar-coated chili pepper
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Poppa Jerry and his grandkids

Every kid in town knows the path to Poppa Jerry's door as well as the way to his heart. He finds it almost impossible to say "no" to a sweet face at the door peddling Girl Scout cookies or anything else for that matter.

If you'll check his pocket, just about any time of the day, you'll find candy. Yes, he's got a sweet tooth, but the candy is for the kids. He is the Whitehouse "candy man." It's that sweetness that keeps him smiling.

Jerr y McFadden wears many hats in the community of Whitehouse. Most of them revolve around kids. Being a big kid at heart himself, Jerry, AKA Poppa Jerry, looks for the fun in all the activities he is a part of. If it isn't fun or if it doesn't benefit kids or something connected to kids, Jerry is likely to pass on it. He says life is too short to not look for the fun in every day.

Jerry has been participating in YesterYear parades since 1985. What's more fun than a parade? Jerry has "paraded" by stage coach, by pick-up truck, by mule (the 4-wheeled kind), and by convertible. And of course he was throwing tons of candy left and right. He is also a YesterYear board member.

In his younger days, Jerry showed more of his "John Wayne" side. He played the part of the sheriff as a part of a "Shoot-out Gang." This group of Wild West actors performed for festivals, rodeos and parades throughout East Texas.

Throughout his 22 years in Whitehouse, Jerry has served as a Whitehouse City Councilman, Every 15 Minutes and Shattered Dreams committee worker, National Night Out host, Whitehouse Parks and Recreation Commission member, along with a host of other activities and events.

Jerr y's favorite holiday is Easter. "We have hosted 19 years of Easter egg hunts here over the years," Jerry said. "Easter is very special to me. It celebrates the resurrection of Christ and the beginning of new life." And don't forget, it's lots of fun.

After retirement, Jerry joined the ranks of substitute teachers in Whitehouse ISD. What a great place for this guy!

"He loves to substitute teach," his wife Jenny said. "He sees all kids as having special needs and needing love and attention."

Work at the First Baptist Church fills many hours of Jerry's life. He and Jenny are Sunday School teachers for the fifth and sixth graders. He has served in Children's Ministry and Youth Ministry work. Are you seeing a trend even in the church work? Kids are the focus here as well.

And then there is the Road Kill Grill crew. Jerry loves the time he spends on the grill with his buddies Bob, Wayne and Steve.

He makes a prize-winning chili as well as spaghetti that would make Chef Boyardee slap his Mama Mia! His spaghetti has even been sent via UPS, overnight, to Austin.

Speaking of that cooking crew, they have traveled East Texas cooking for all sorts of events. With Jerry at the center of the circle, fun is the number one ingredient to ever y recipe.

The McFaddenS came to Whitehouse in 1984. Many joyous days have been celebrated in their family.

Daughters Jill and Jennifer found wonderful husbands in Brian and Jason. They each have two children; Tyler and Taylor Spitzmiller and Jaelynn and Jake Carlile. And the fun continues. Poppa loves his grandkids.

"This year has truly been a blessing and a year of celebration of his life," Jenny said.

Jerry's health has been quite a challenge in recent years. But through it all, Jerry's love for kids and joy that love brings has kept him going. He says he has so much to look forward to and so much still to do.

His kids may only number a few, but the number is actually endless.

"He never gives them up even when they get married," Jenny said. "And one special one has asked him to be her honorary grandparent at her wedding in July."

With a bit of a tough outer shell, Jerry might be seen as a real red-hot chili pepper. But ask any kid in Whitehouse and they'll tell you, it's all sugar coated.