Jerry Jay Eller, 89, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2026. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina. Jerry lived a life marked by faith, service, compassion, and dedication to his family and community.
Jerry was the son of the late Albert Henry Eller and Clyde Alieen Eller. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife of 43 years, Eleanor Anne Eller.
Jerry earned his undergraduate degree from Davidson College before receiving his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He furthered his studies completing a fellowship in pediatric infectious disease at the University of Colorado Medical Center. He and Eleanor met during their pediatric residency in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Together they built a marriage centered on faith, family, and service.
Throughout his distinguished medical career, Jerry served as a major in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and practiced medicine in Colorado, Texas, and Alabama where he also helped educate and mentor future healthcare professionals. He made important contributions in the field of infectious diseases and virology leading countless research studies and was a contributing author in multiple textbooks. He served as pediatrician and medical director of emergency services in Livingston for many years caring for patients and families throughout the community.
Outside of medicine, Jerry enjoyed golf, photography, playing the trumpet, and singing in the church choir. His greatest passion, however, was sharing his faith. He served as an elder and faithfully taught Sunday School at Livingston First Presbyterian Church for many years, leaving a lasting impact through his wisdom, kindness, and love for God’s Word.
Jerry is survived by his children:
Ruth Crane (Mac)
Wesley Neighbors (Kelsey), Ford, Hudson, Ollie, and Miller
Connor Neighbors (Meghan), James and Sutton
Anna Lakin Campbell (Scott), Emmett and Rowan
Dr. Timothy Eller (Janae), Chaney, Luke, and Grant
Karen Marks (Will), Stewart and Alex
Christina Paparella (Bryan) Preston, Meg, and Elle
Jerry will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, compassionate physician, faithful teacher, and humble servant of Christ. His gentle spirit, generosity, and unwavering commitment to caring for others will continue to inspire all who knew him.
Funeral services for Jerry will be held on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at Livingston First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Luke Ponder officiating. Visitation services will be held at 10:15 A.M. prior to the funeral service. Graveside for family members will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to:
Campus Outreach Ministries/Preston Paparella
P.O. Box 43737
Birmingham, AL 35243
Online giving: https://www.cobirmingham.org/donate/preston-paparella
Gideons International Sumter County
P.O. Box 193
York, AL 36925-0193
Livingston First Presbyterian
Church 105 N Washington St
Livingston, AL 35470