Jerry “Buddy” Lee Choate, 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Palmer, Texas on September 2, 2024. Jerry was born in Hillsboro, Texas on June 13, 1941, to John Henry Choate and Tera Faye Ussery Choate of Rockett, Texas. The oldest of 6 children, Jerry grew up in Rockett, Texas and spent a lot of time farming with his father. He graduated from Ferris High School and honorably served his country in the United States Army for three years. Jerry returned to Ellis County and He worked for Halliburton Energy Services for 42 years, retiring in 2015. Jerry was a great man that loved life. He enjoyed buying lottery tickets (scratch-offs), driving the back roads with his life-long friends and reminiscing about the good old days. Most of all he loved his family. Jerry made a choice to love, provide, protect, and encourage his two daughters as if they were his own by giving them the biggest gift of their life – being their dad. His other greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Barbara; two daughters Jennifer Godina and husband Robert of Midlothian, Texas; Roxanne Rogers and husband Travis of Arlington, Texas; three grandsons -Justin Davis and wife, Leanne of Rice, Texas; Dalton Davis of Rice, Texas; Cody Rogers and wife Hannah of El Paso, Texas; five great-grandchildren: Ray Hernandez, Briggs Hernandez, and Tessa Dean Davis (Justin) of Rice; Layton and Tealson Davis (Dalton) of Rice; Siblings: Robert Choate and wife Mary of Rockett, Texas, Betty Woodruff of Waxahachie, Texas, Joyce Choate of Red Oak, Texas, Cecil Choate of Palmer, Texas; sister-in-law Carolyn Casaday of Glenn Heights, Texas; brother-in-law Kenneth Landers-Cottongame and husband Terry Landers of Cooper, Texas; brother-in-law James Cottongame, Sr. of Palmer, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, brother Ronald “Ronnie” Choate, two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law. The family will receive visitors on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Fundamental Baptist Church, 209 W. Jefferson St. in Palmer, Texas with a memorial service following at 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Fundamental Baptist Church – General Fund for the children’s ministry. Donations can be made by using the following link: https://fundamentalbaptistpalmer.org/index.html or by mail to Fundamental Baptist Church, P.O. Box 99, Palmer, Texas 75152.