Jerry Sustala

Retired Officer, Jerry Wayne Sustala was called to Stand Down, October 31, 2019.

He was born November 5, 1962 to Fred and Lena Mae Sustala.

Jerry worked for Travis County Sheriff Dept. in Austin where he had several posts in the jail.  He got Officer of the Year when he was in the Transportation Dept. He loved his job more than most! He enjoyed seeing the reaction of kids when he was in his uniform.  He carried sheriff stickers of badges and would put them on kiddo’s.  He took his responsibility of being an officer to heart. He wore the uniform with great pride.

When Jerry was 7, he was hit by a drunk driver. Although he survived, he really never knew what it was like to not have back pain. Over the years his back and neck started deteriorating and required many surgeries. To compound this even further, he developed a condition called arachnoiditis. That is where all nerves clump together and miss fire all over the body. This chronic pain multiplied even more when he was hit by an 18 wheeler and broke his back again and both shoulders. This event led to Jerry having to retire from the Sheriff Dept.  Chronic pain is real! He suffered with it for over 12yrs. Jerry and Beth coped with it by calling it “pay to play”. When he would work outside or take a drive, he would be down for days. He would want everyone to know pain is real. Listen to your loved ones and advocate for them to get help.

Jerry’s hobbies were riding motorcycles. Especially with him on his and Beth on hers.  He and Beth were avid campers and spent many hours floating the river in New Braunfels.  Jerry and his Mom watched Street Outlaws and would get so loud Beth would have to shut the door.  Jerry really enjoyed working on cars. He was the best mechanic. He would take the car to the dealership and they would get frustrated with him because he did a diagnostic check and would challenge their mechanics. A lot of people at work would call and ask him to tell them what was wrong on their car. There wasn’t a thing he couldn’t fix! He was a perfectionist and if you asked him to make or fix something it was perfect, no short cuts.  Jerry loved animals.  All his pets are rescue animals. Ellie Maye our very smart border collie and he were inseparable. She is one test away from being a therapy dog. He taught her all kind of fun tricks. Jerry also never saw a kitty he didn’t love.

Jerry was an incredibly loving man. Not big on words but huge on actions to express his love.  He was a great Grandpa and Uncle. Always ready to take the time and explain what he was doing with them. He took every opportunity to teach. He loved the Lord and prayed for everyone. He always said he isn’t afraid to die because he knows where he is going! He would tell you to put your fears in God’s hands and leave it there.

He is preceded in death by his father, Fred Sustala. Jerry is survived by his wife, Beth Ann Sustala; his mother,  Lena Mae Sustala;  brothers, Jim Sustala and his wife Janice, John Sustala and his wife Carolyn; sister, Debra and her husband Mark Scheuerman; daughter, Rachel Holmes and grandchildren RJ, Alicia & Cameron;  great niece, Amber Sky Respress; nephews, CJ & Chad Dennison and their children; and his favorite sister in Law, Sam Dennison.

An event to celebrate the final Stand Down for Officer Sustala will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at the McMahan Baptist Church in Dale, Texas located at xxx FM xxx.  There will be a reception following the service.

In lieu of flowers please donate in his name to the Lockhart Animal Shelter. Their address is 547 Old McMahan Rd, Lockhart, Tx 78644 or to Brown Santa in your county.