from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Jerry Wayne Permenter, 64, died in Hamilton, Ala., on April 18, 2012, with his wife, Carolyn Jane, at his bedside.

Mr. Permenter was born Jan. 26, 1948, in Shreveport, La. He was the oldest child of William L. and Betty (Perkins) Permenter. The family resided in both Grand Cane, La., and Center, Texas.

He lived in Kalamazoo, Mich., from 1983 to late 2007. While living in Kalamazoo, he was employed by B & B Trucking for 25 years.

A horseman all his life, from rodeo to show horses, from the late 1980s through the 1990s, Mr. Permenter actively trained and raced Standardbreds. As much as he enjoyed the sport of harness racing, he even more enjoyed the friendships he made in the industry.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children, Jarrod and Amy (Nathan) Osborne; granddaughter, Ella Mary Osborne; mother, Betty; brothers, Michael and James(Jan); sister, Suzanne (Rex) Richards; the mother of his children, Sharon; step-daughters, Heather (Chad) Chambers and Shelley Sanborn; and step-grandson, Dakota. He was preceded in death by his father.

A private graveside service will be held Wednesday (April 25) at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Hamilton, Ala.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.