By Staff
Jerry David Kivett, 75, died on June 26 from lung and brain cancer.
There will be a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church in Washington, NC on Wednesday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m. There will also be a memorial service in Atlanta, GA at a later date to be determined.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Ann, their three sons and their wives: Dave and Beth, Mike and Kara, and Josh and Brooke. He also had seven grandchildren: Durham, Sophie Ann, Jerry, Grace, Michael, Ryan and Caroline.
Jerry was born in 1935 in Greensboro, NC; the only child of George Low Kivett of Ramseur, NC and Mary Decie Teague of Siler City, NC. He graduated from Graham High School in 1953 and then Davidson College in 1957 where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology.
Following college, Jerry served in the United States Army for three years, much of that time in service with the Army Counter-Intelligence Corps. On July 15, 1960, Jerry married Mary Ann Tayloe of Washington, NC — the beginning of a union that would last 50 years.
After an honorable discharge from the Army, Jerry worked for Wells Fargo Armored Service before joining the United States Secret Service in September 1961.
Just seven months after joining the Secret Service, Jerry was assigned to the protection detail of Vice President Lyndon Johnson in May of 1962. The following year, he was in the vehicle behind the vice president when President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963.
During President Johnson’s time in the White House, Jerry continued his service to the first family, serving as the lead agent for Lady Bird Johnson’s protective detail. Following his years in the White House, he served as Special Agent in Charge of the Richmond and then Atlanta field offices.
After retiring from the Secret Service in 1982, Jerry worked in corporate security with the Georgia Power Company. He retired from Georgia Power in 2000, but continued his service to others through community service and volunteer work.
Jerry will be remembered as a man of unquestioned honesty, integrity, loyalty and faith. His devotion to, and respect and abiding love for Ann will be forever honored by his family, especially his sons.
The family will host a visitation in their home in Washington, NC on Tuesday, June 29 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers charitable contributions may be made to the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center of Washington, NC; First Presbyterian Church of Washington, NC; St. Andrews Presbyterian Church of Tucker, GA; or charity of choice.
You may address condolences to the Kivett family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.
Paul Funeral Home of Washington, NC is honored to serve the Kivett family.
Paid Obituary