Jerald Garner

A native of East Texas, Jerald has served five churches as a minister of music during his 47 years of ministry experience, over 16 years of which have been at Southmont. He earned a bachelor’s in business administration from Baylor University, a master’s in church music education (with a vocal performance concentration) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a master’s in religion from the B. H. Carroll Theological Institute. Jerald also served 20 years as a chaplain in the Texas State Guard (retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel), nine years as a full-time hospice chaplain (recently retiring from VNA Hospice), and still works part-time as a chaplain with the Baylor Scott and White Healthcare System.
Jerald leads the 9:30 traditional worship service and oversees the graded choir program. He directs the Adult Choir, Youth Choir, Older Children’s Choir, Handbell Choir, and Orchestra. These groups present a total of five major musical productions each year.
Jerald met his wife Andrea while they were students at Baylor. The couple have been married since July, 1975 and enjoy staying physically active by walking together and by frequenting a local gym. They have three married adult children (two daughters in Carrollton and a son in Ft. Worth), and have four of the smartest, most talented grandchildren in the whole world!