Major Gerald E. Poudrier, 80, affectionately known as "Jerry" was born Feb. 29, 1932, in Pinellas County, Florida, the son of the late Dr. Emery Poudrier and Clara Mae Robinson Poudrier. He was a 1954 graduate of Indiana University, a retired major in the U. S. Army, and served as professor of Military Science at Washington and Lee University. After army retirement, he served as development director at Washington and Lee University, division manager of Fayette Manufacturing Company in Americus, interum athletic director at Georgia Southwestern College and division manager at Elixir Corp. He was a member and former deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in Americus, a member of the Americus Lions Club, the Elks Club, Moose Club, Indiana University intercollegiate Varsity Club, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He served for forty years as an athletic official.

Memorial services will be conducted at the First Presbyterian Church of Americus at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 2, with committal services to follow at 2:00 p.m. in the cemetery at Andersonville National Historic Site. Officiating ministers will include Dr. Richard Hart, Rev Daniel Loffredo, and Rev. Deb Bibler.

Many years ago Jerry made known his request that flowers be omitted at his funeral in favor of memorial contributions to the First Presbyterian Church of Americus, 125 South Jackson St., Americus, GA 31709, or to the League of the Good Samaritan, Magnolia Manor, 2001 South Lee Street, Americus, GA 31709.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Rodney Collins of Americus; two sons, Bruce Poudrier and his wife, Reba, of Rome, GA and Tom Poudrier of Gay, GA; a granddaughter, Courtney Poudrier Bateman and her husband, Ty, of Homer, Alaska; and a sister, Mary Ellen Luff of Tampa, FL. His wife, Susan Forney Poudrier, preceded him in death.

The family will receive friends at the home of Lisa and Rodney Collins, 224-B Highway 49, North.

Hancock Funeral Home, 427 South Lee Street, Americus, GA is in charge of arrangements.

To sign the online register, please visit hancockfuneralhomeinc.com.