Jerald (Jerry) Carlton Legins Sr. was the youngest of four (4) children born to Reverend Benjamin John Legins and Louise Macy Legins on April 26, 1937, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He spent his early years sitting cross legged on the floor beside his father, in the pulpit at Ebenezer Baptist Church, which still exists today. He and Margie went back there to visit several years ago to hear his best friend from childhood, who was the current Pastor, deliver the message. His Sunday School teacher was also there and made his day when she asked him if he would like some of her biscuits, which she made for dinner after church.

He came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania regularly to visit and attended Tenth Memorial Baptist Church, which had a large youth congregation and where he met his future wife, Margie. He was 14. He eventually stayed during one of those visits, graduating from high school and enlisting in the United States Air Force at the age of 18. He and Margie were married on November 2, 1957. He never missed being with his wife on their Wedding Anniversary. Not many men can say that, for 65 years.

Through his military assignments, their journey took them all over the world beginning at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, where he met several members of his mother’s family. Then on to Karamursel AFB, in Turkey and he became well known amongst the local people there in the town of Yalova. Their Turkish landlord took them on several trips to see cultural sites. When he and Margie left the entire town came to the dock to say goodbye. Then they went to Darmstadt AFB, Germany and settled there. Afterwards they went to Ent AFB then NORAD in Colorado Springs, CO, He was part of the first personnel to be working at NORAD, then on to Danang, Vietnam, which felt like an eternity for him and his family. PRAISE GOD, he returned to Colorado Springs briefly, just in time to celebrate his anniversary, then off to Zweibrücken AFB, Germany again. He and his family became heavily involved in the church, which was such a unique experience with all of the various members of the church belonging to different faiths. It was indeed a gift from God to fellowship with so many people of faith. Then finally, Buckley AFB, Denver. He bought a house for his family and in less than a month he was scheduled to go to Samsun, AFB Turkey and receive his Master Sergeant stripe. The children had just enrolled in school and Margie said, “You go on to Samsun AFB, I will be here when you return. It didn’t take him long to make up his mind and after serving 23 years in the military, he retired with honor as Tech Sergeant at Buckley Air Force Base.

Jerry worked at J.C. Penney’s for a time before starting his own business, Federal Supply, a federal contractor of office supplies. After selling the company, he started Innovative Sales with offices in Colorado and California. He later started consulting independently with federal prime contractors.

Though his business successes were plentiful, what he valued most was his service to the Lord. In Jerry’s earlier years, he was involved in the choir and men’s groups at the various military bases he was stationed. He and his family joined Union Baptist Church approximately in 1977 while there they met the late Rev. Dr. Jules E. Smith and Deacon Frank Waller and Family in 1982 and joined them at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church in 1986. His involvement at Rising Star included singing in the choir, bible study, serving as a Deacon, serving on several committees, and serving as one of the leaders of the Family Ministry Team. Jerry, Margie & his son Jeff traveled to Israel in 1999 with several members of Rising Star including the late Pastor Rev. Dr. Jules E. Smith and where he was rebaptized in the Jordan River. He was recognized as Deacon Emeritus on June 20, 2021.

He was a social butterfly and loved being surrounded by his family and friends. His greatest accomplishment was being a loving husband, father, and dearly loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He often said his wife was his greatest blessing and that he was a walking miracle. He had several serious sinus infections that required him to sit in a hyperbaric chamber for several rounds followed by multiple surgeries.

Jerry was fondly known as a Road Warrior (loved road trips) and loved Barbequing for family and friends, a fresh cup of coffee, watching westerns, along with traveling, and cruising. His last road trip was to Texas in July of this year with his oldest son.

He is survived by his wife, Margie R. Legins, of Aurora Colorado, his children Jerald C. Legins II (Brenda), Tamara D. Conley (Carroll), Jeffrey D. Legins, Ian G. Legins (Aspen), his grandchildren JC III (Alexis), Jeremy, Katie (Dustin), Gabe (Tonyette), Tristan, Myranda, Malia, his great grandchildren, Jayven, and Alex. Brother-in-law Roger “Sonny”, and over 70 nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind to cherish his memory, his lifelong friend, Deacon Lawrence Coleman, and adopted sons Deacon Brian Ferguson, Karl Davis, and Alan Rice.

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