DALLAS —  Surrounded by family and friends who deeply loved him, Waymon Jerry Hyde of Dallas died Aug. 30, 2012, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital following a massive heart attack. He was 78.

Jerry was born Dec. 23, 1933, in McKinney to Waymon and Elta Tompkins Hyde. He spent his childhood in Wagner and graduated from Bland High School at age 16. Jerry moved to Greenville and attended Texas A&M University-Commerce (formerly known as East Texas State Teachers College) and earned a B.B.A. in general business in 1954.

Jerry then voluntarily joined the military and served as personnel specialist third class in the United States Army from 1954 until 1956, during which time he was stationed in Korea.

After receiving an honorable discharge, Jerry returned to Texas A&M University-Commerce and earned an M.B.A. in human resources management in 1958.

Hyde remained very active with A&M-Commerce for many years, first serving as a graduate assistant and many years later as an alumni board member, which honored him with the organization’s distinguished Gold Blazer Award. 

Jerry married Susan Ann Albright on Sept. 3, 1960, in Cooper. The couple moved to Irving and raised two sons, Waymon “Wade” Douglas Hyde and Chance Tompkins Hyde. Jerry, Susan, Wade and Chance were all very active members of Plymouth Park United Methodist Church for more than two decades. Jerry was also a longtime member of Irving Rotary, and Jerry and both sons participated in the YMCA’s Indian Guide program.

In 1973, Jerry founded Hyde Danforth & Co., one of America’s leading management consulting firms specializing in executive search, retained legal search, career transition, and related human resources consulting matters.

Previously, Jerry was manager of human resources consulting for KPMG Peat Marwick and served as manager of Preferred Business Services, a Chicago-based service company, as well as personnel officer for a Republic National Life (a/k/a Anthem Health).

He began his professional career as a high school principal and girls basketball coach at Bland High School. Hyde was an accredited personnel diplomat and was recognized as a “Top Career Maker” in all three editions of John Sibbald’s The Career Makers.

Jerry is survived by Susan, Wade and husband Tim and Chance and wife Janelle and their daughter Elly, Jerry’s only grandchild. He is also survived by his sister, Judy and husband Bill, and their four children, Keith, Shelly, Sharon and Stacy; as well as Jerry’s brother, Ben and wife Marilyn, and their daughter Sara; many great-nieces and nephews, and hundreds of beloved friends.

Family and friends will gather at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. for a celebration of Jerry’s life.

In lieu of flowers, Jerry’s family suggest making a donation in his memory to Meals on Wheels (https://www.hpumc.org/pages/09_meals_on_wheels), the DFW Humane Society (http://www.dfwhumane.com/index.shtml) or Legacy Counseling Center (http://www.legacycares.org/).