Obituary of Jerry Charles Tetreau

Dr. Jerry Charles Tetreau, 81 (Actually 81 years & 5 months - Dad would want the exact math), was ushered into the presence of God January 4, 2021, at Chandler Regional Hospital. He was born on August 1, 1939 to Joshua Charles and Dorothy (Tucker) Tetreau of Bad Axe, MI. Jerry grew up on a farm in the thumb of Michigan and graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1957. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy where he was stationed in both Adak, Alaska as well as Nicosia, Cyprus. In Nicosia, Jerry served in the US Embassy. He was awarded special commendation in this role by President John F. Kennedy. Prior to his posting in Cyprus, he married the love of his life, Kit (Beulah) Batey of Dos Palos, California (Jerry and Kit had just recently celebrated 60 years of marriage together). After his time in the military, he spent the rest of his life in higher Christian education. He served in the administration of multiple Christian schools, eventually taking he and his family to Mesa, AZ, where he spent four decades in ministry at the International Baptist College and Seminary. He studied at Bob Jones University, Clemson State University, Maranatha Baptist University, Arizona State University, Mesa Community College, Pensacola Christian College, California Graduate School of Theology, and he received an honorary degree from San Francisco Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned three Doctorates, a Master"s degree, and was a student of both Biblical and modern languages. He will be remembered most for his tenacious faith in Jesus of Nazareth, his love of the Scriptures, his massive prayer list, his love for his family, his colleagues, his students, his chickens, his figs, and his annual hikes in and out of the Grand Canyon. He loved America and cherished Arizona. Jerry and Kit ministered and traveled the country and the world together and made friends wherever providence guided them. Included in this travel was the completion of 25 cruises and nearly 40 round trips in and out of the Grand Canyon. He gave out countless gospel tracts in many languages. In addition to his parents, he was preceded into eternity by his sister, Marilyn Townley, married to Phil Townley (surviving). Surviving in addition to his wife Kit (Beulah Batey) Tetreau is his sister Mary Lu (Tetreau) Steiner and her husband Rev. Chuck Steiner of Grand Rapids, MI; his brother Paul Mark Tetreau and his wife Jill Tetreau of Prescott, AZ. Surviving is his son, Joel Charles Tetreau and his wife, Toni, of Gilbert, AZ and daughter, Heather Michelle (Tetreau) Smith and her husband David Smith of St. Louis, MO. He had six grandchildren: Jonathan (and Brittany), Jeremy, Joshua, Sullivan, Abigail and Leon. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A service of remembrance will be held 2:00 pm. Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Tri-City Baptist Church, 2211 W. Germann Rd., Chandler, AZ 85286. The service will be live streamed for those who cannot make it to the special memorial. Those who wish to remember Jerry in a special way may give a donation to the Jerry Tetreau Educational Scholarship Fund at International Baptist College and Seminary (Address same as the church). Arrangements by Falconer Funeral Home, 251 W. Juniper Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233. "Well done, good and faithful servant"¦ enter thou the joy of thy lord." (Math. 25:21)