Jerilyn Kyker Pfeifer, Ed.D.

Jerilyn Kyker Pfeifer, Ed.D.

Jerilyn Kyker Pfeifer passed away peacefully in the early morning of February 22, 2015, at her Abilene home. A memorial service honoring Jeri's life will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, February 26, 2015 in the Highland Church of Christ Auditorium, 425 Highland Ave. A private family graveside service will be held later in the afternoon. A visitation with the family will be held Wednesday evening from 6-8 pm at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.

Born to Rex and Chris Kyker on September 15, 1948, she became the first child in a family of three girls and two boys. At an early age playing “school” in her Grandmother’s Grace White School, Jeri was headed for a career in teaching and education.

Graduating from Abilene High in 1966, she entered ACU to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education with a Minor in English. A position opened at Eula High School for Head English Teacher, which Jeri began in September of 1970. Several years later she joined the faculty at Madison Jr High teaching English. While working on her Masters Degree in Education, she taught courses at McMurry College. The Masters Degree was conferred in 1973. Her long-time mentor, Dr. Chantry Fritts, invited Jeri to come to the Education Department at ACU to teach undergraduate courses and manage student teachers in the public schools. In 1979 she began course work for her Doctorate and a year later received the Helen DeWitt Jones Education Fellowship at Texas Tech, graduating in 1981- then returning to ACU as Assistant Vice President of Academic Services. During her tenure at ACU, Jeri designed the Freshman 101 courses and was instrumental in creating the first Welcome Center at ACU. In Maymesters and Summer programs she taught graduate level School Finance classes.

In 1991 Jeri was asked to take the helm at Abilene’s Cooper High School, where she served as Principal for 4 years before moving into AISD Administration as Vocational and Technology Education Coordinator. Albany ISD hired Jeri as their Superintendent from 1998-2002 before she was recruited to take over the Superintendent position at Venus ISD in Johnson County south of Arlington. After three years at Venus she was invited to apply for the Superintendent job at Everman ISD in southern Fort Worth, where she served for 11 years retiring in December 2014. Twice nominated by the Everman Board of Trustees as Superintendent of the Year in Region 11, few school districts could match the synergy and statewide achievements accomplished by Jeri, the Everman Board and Admin, and the phenomenal efforts of the Everman Faculty and students.

Dr. Pfeifer was the first woman inducted into Phi Delta Kappa in North Texas, later traveling on speaking tours for PDK through the midwestern states. She was a member of the Rotary Club at Albany and also served as President of the Lions Club at Everman. She has served on Trustee Boards for Eternal Threads, Boys & Girls Clubs of Abilene, the Board of Regents for Texas State Technical College, and President of the South Tarrant County Chamber of Commerce.

Jeri’s greatest goal in life was to be a servant disciple of the Lord Jesus. She and her family began attending the Highland Church of Christ in 1978.

Walt and Jeri Pfeifer were married on June 6, 1969. Born to the union were Dylan and Daren Pfeifer. Jeri is survived by her husband Walt, son Dylan Pfeifer of San Francisco, son Daren, Karen and grandson Logan Pfeifer of Philadelphia, sister-in-law Wallis Ann Pfeifer of Rotan, her mother Chris Kyker of Abilene, brother Rob and Diane Kyker of Richardson, sister Lindy and Raymon Fullerton of New York, sister Jan and Neal Bryan of Flower Mound, and brother Ricky and Judy Kyker of Abilene, and extended family scattered around the nation- the majority of whom are educators.

The family wishes to thank the Hendricks Hospice Team and doctors at Texas Oncology Fort worth and Abilene.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Everman Educational Foundation (Jeri Pfeifer Endowed Scholarship) attn.: Joee Gainer 608 Townley Dr, Everman, TX 76140, or Eternal Threads of Abilene, or your favorite charity.