Jerry Louis Plaia, 69, of Beaumont, died on April 26, 2012, at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth.

A lifelong resident of Beaumont, he was born on February 13, 1943, to Bessie Mazzola and Joseph Tremont Plaia. Jerry was a retired business owner and veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he served from 1961-1967 as Corporal, 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion 1st Marine Division.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bessie Mazzola Plaia Ellis and Joseph Tremont Plaia.

Survivors include his wife, Sheryll McNaughten Plaia; children, Gerard Louis Plaia and his wife, Debbie of Lumberton, Sherrill Elizabeth Plaia and Derek Anthony Plaia of Lumberton, Colby William Plaia and Jillian Anne Plaia, both of Beaumont; sisters, Mary Ann Shaw and her husband, Richard of Dallas, Margaret Martindale of Lumberton, Terry Plaia and his wife,  Darlene of Missouri, Jo Ellen Roy and her husband, Roland of Lumberton, and Crisentino Plaia and his wife, Patty of Austin; grandchildren, Toree Plaia, Joseph Plaia and Jessie Plaia, all of Lumberton; along with many nieces and nephews.

Jerry worked at Ford Motor Credit as an adjuster, owned and operated K-13 Spray-On Systems, Tex-La Spray Systems, Inc., Coastal Specialty Company, Air-Link Airways, Beaumont Business Incubator and Premium Construction, Inc. from which he retired.

He served on the First City Bank board of directors from 1984 to 1986, was awarded Marketing Student of the Year from the North Texas Chapter of the American Marketing Association, was elected to the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America as a business member from Coastal Specialty Co., participated in the Economic Opportunity Commission for the Southeast Texas Entergy Council, was a staunch supporter of the Republican National Committee, as well as a member of the Parents and Families Organization at Lamar University.

He also served on the St. Anne Catholic School Board, St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Council, Diocese of Beaumont School Board, the Diocese of Beaumont School Task Force and made several missionary trips to Guatemala during his time on the Guatemala Mission Committee. For his work on the Diocese of Beaumont school system, he was presented with“Divine Servant” recognition by Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D.

Jerry served as president of the Italian American Society from 1993 to 1995. During this time he worked directly with the city of Beaumont and Beautify Beaumont to develop the Italian American Piazza, a constant reminder of the Italian American culture, located at the intersection of College and Neches in downtown Beaumont.

His hobbies included hunting, fishing, gun collecting and genealogy, which he enjoyed talking about with anyone. He also enjoyed coaching football and little league.

A gathering of his family and friends will begin at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, April 29, 2012, with a Christian Vigil to follow at 5:30 p.m., at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 30, 2012, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Missionary Fraternity of Mary, c/o St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77706-3240.