Ya know, it's like that. Jerry Tinney went to heaven on January 16, 2015. If you spent time with him you will recognize some of his signature grammatical twists in this tribute that made him as unique as his life story.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 47 years Debbie Tinney, his daughters (he numbered them) - His #1 Stephanie Kay Tinney-Schaffer ( Jason ), His #2 Tori Lynnett Tinney and His #3 Kara Renee' Tinney, His beloved grandsons, "Papa's Boys", Clayton, Zachary and Rhyse, His siblings Larry Tinney (Freda) , Sandra Tinney, Shirlene Potts, and Kinihia Willis (James), Kinihia being the best birthday gift ever. His Neices and Nephews, Great Neices and Nephews, GREAT-GREAT Neices and Nephews, along with many Cousins that he considered Brothers and Sisters. He is also survived by many special Friends that were family to him. He joins his Mother Lola Fern Tinney, his Father Louis Chestine Tinney, his Sister Carol Darlene Skelton and his baby Nephew Christopher James Willis in heaven, at the foot of our Lord.

Jerry was the first born Son of Lola Fern and Louis. His life started on September 15, 1944 in Tulare, in the Central Valley of California. "We have entered God's country" was his announcement when the aroma of the dairy farms would waif through the car during the many treks back and forth from the "Coast" to the "Valley."

As migrant farm workers, his parents and all of his siblings followed the harvest from California to Washington State and back again. They settled in Farmersville, California and Jerry graduated from Exeter High School in 1963.

He was a man of integrity and honor and a true Family man. He always put family above everything.

A testament of his integrity, his Father was ailing and at the age of 12. He took a job cleaning up a movie theater. His pay was a silver dollar weekly. His mother would recount the story that without prompting or hesitation he gave her that silver dollar. She would proudly state that, "He never took one of those silver dollars for himself."

His honor shone through with the love and respect he showed his Mother and the throne he placed Debbie on.

Debbie and Jerry were married July 14, 1968. He put her on a pedestal then and there she remained. He romanced her daily with admiration of her beauty and love notes on her coffee cup lids. He supported her in anything and everything she did. Never waivering nor questioning her. When life got in the way of their time together, he gave her the peace of mind to do what she had to do for others. Providing a steady home front with meals and taking over housekeeping so she could tend to her ailing and elderly parents.

Jerry and Debbie took the trip of a life time on a cruise and land tour of Alaska in June of 2014. The Alaskan trip, a summer filled with camping and the fall full of celebratory parties and traveling provide precious and comforting memories.

Debbie retired on September 30, 2014, and they didn't wait long to start their new adventures. They took off October 25, 2014, traveling to Las Vegas to root on their dear friends Brent and Margo Hazen and their bulls at the Professional Bull Riders Finals. You may recognize the names of some of the Hazen's boys – Bush Wacker, Despicable Me, Divinity, Anamalize and Ranga.

From Las Vegas, they began a cross country trip with their lifelong friends, Elmer and Carolyn Nelson. A few of their destinations were Yellow Stone, Mount Rushmore, NASA and Lubbock Texas. They visited with 70 family and friends along the way. A Farmer at heart, Jerry loved the farm equipment museum in Lubbock. They also were able to admire the migrating geese and hear their honking and spend some quality time with #3.

Being a "Family" man is truly a testament of who he was. He did not have any interests outside family and what the family unit was doing. He dove into all activities the family drug him into in a loving and jovial manner. From early morning BBQs and fundraisers for the Lompoc FFA and Lompoc Ag Booster Club, Lompoc High School sports BBQ fundraisers – he was there. He also welcomed all of the fur babies into the home and eventually would make them his own. Giving treats and extra love and making excuses for their antics. #2's rescued bull dog Chula had some quirks and even when she was bad, he stuck up for her. His love for his family knew no boundaries.

He was the best Papa ever. He supported his Grandsons in anything and everything. He was the first one in the stands and the first to greet them coming off the field. He made eating gummies a game and watching cartoons a ritual of laughs and loving banter. He was so very proud of them. His love for them wasn't based on what they did, it was based on unconditional love and who they were to him: the Boys that could do no wrong.

He supported his family by working at Celite/Johns Manville from 1964 until his retirement in September of 2010. He mentored others, championed for equal rights and stood up against any unfairness he witnessed at work. He was a Union Man, a card carrying member of the ICWU Local 146. He walked many picket lines. The pay and benefits enjoyed now by many were championed by these early union member's sacrifices.

Jerry was an Honorary Chapter Farmer of the Lompoc FFA, supported the Lompoc Ag Booster Club and Lompoc High School athletics and had coached in Lompoc Little League.

Special recognition goes to Charlie Rasband and friends that would join him early mornings at the Lompoc Donut Shop. These friends and the owners and staff at Lompoc Donuts were such a big part of his life that Jerry made it a point to update them daily on his travel adventures. When he was absent, he prompted the family to make sure that his deal with Charlie was taken care of: Charlie got the refills, Jerry got the check. If heaven has a donut shop, you will find Jerry and Del Clement and Charlie Wilks there, continuing the laughs and banter. Ya know, it's like that.

Please join in celebrating Jerry's life. There will be an evening open house with the family on Friday January 23, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Lompoc Church of Christ, 138 North O Street, Lompoc , California.

Jerry's Memorial Service will also be at the Lompoc Church of Christ, 138 North O Street, Lompoc, California and will start at 9:30 AM Saturday, January 24, 2015. Burial will immediately follow at the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. Please join the Family after the burial for a celebration of Jerry's life, including bbq lunch, 1:00 PM at the River Bottom Tractor Museum, located at Barton and Daisy Street, Lompoc, California. The drive way will be marked with Blue and white balloons.

The Family asks you to wear your Lompoc blue and white Friday and Saturday to honor Jerry.

In lieu of flowers, please consider being a hero in Jerry's name by donating blood, platelets or plasma, or donating to the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital – specifically for support of the Little Cottages, their temporary family housing units: www.thelittlecottage.org (online) or by mail: Hospital, Hospitality House of Santa Barbara, P.O. Box 30234, Santa Barbara, CA 93130; or to Lompoc High School Athletic Department Booster Club, 515 West Collage Ave., Lompoc, CA 93436. Honoring him is as simple as doing something nice for someone else with a "Jerry" attitude, one of kindness and generosity.

Luke 23:43 - And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.