Jerry Carl Pilcher, age 80, of Keystone Heights, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on May 20th, 2026.

Jerry was born on March 9, 1946, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was adopted at birth by the late Jeremiah Carl and Mona Agnus Siex Pilcher. He graduated from H. B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, Class of 1964, and went on to attend the University of Florida, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

Following college, Jerry began his career with the Office of the Auditor General, where he conducted audits for the University of Florida, Shands Teaching Hospital, and Alachua General Hospital. He also served on the Department of Corrections audit team. In 1973, he joined the Florida Department of Corrections as an Accountant. Over the course of his distinguished career, he worked at Union Correctional Institution, Lawtey Correctional Institution, the Regional Office, and ultimately as Director of Administration for Region 2.

After retiring in 2000, Jerry later returned to the Department of Corrections, working in the Finance Unit in Lake City, and retired again in 2020 from Putnam Correctional Institution—completing an incredible 40 years of dedicated service. In the past three years, he enjoyed working at Gainesville Nissan as an auto transporter, traveling extensively throughout Florida and as far north as Tennessee.

Jerry accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in July 1978. For the past 20 years, he was a faithful member of Trinity Baptist Church in Keystone Heights, Florida. He served the Lord in many capacities, including teaching Sunday school, cooking Wednesday night meals, singing in the choir, driving the van for Lake Area Ministries, and serving as Chairman of the Finance Committee for many years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Gloria Jane Pilcher, the mother of his four sons.

He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Betty Kay; his sons, Jason (April) Pilcher, Jeffrey (Laura) Pilcher, Jeremy (Tosha) Pilcher, and John (Danielle) Pilcher and stepchildren, Donny (Kim) Jordan and Donna (Josh) Lynn.

He was affectionately known as “Papa” to his grandchildren: Ashlyn (Blake) Hall, Amberlyn Pilcher, Aniston Pilcher, McKenzie (Matthew) Shackleton, Justin (Liz) Pilcher, Jackson Pilcher (Kylie Yantis), Carley Pilcher, Cason Pilcher, Colton Pilcher, Austin (Kim) Mobley, Emily Pilcher, Brianna Jordan, Tyson Jordan, Dylana (Dorrien) Mack, and Savanna Lynn; and to his great-grandchildren: Elli Pilcher, Maddie Shackleton, and Sienna Pilcher.

He is also survived by his beloved dog, Princess.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 30th at 10:00am at Trinity Baptist Church in Keystone Heights, Florida. A Homegoing Celebration will follow at 11:00am, with interment immediately following at Crosby Lake Cemetery in Starke, Florida.

Archer-Milton Funeral Home is honored to serve Jerry's family during this difficult time. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com