Elder Demmer

The Divine will of God for the man, ministry and mission of Elder Pat Demmer Senior, began on August 30, 1921 in Rodessa, Louisiana. "Dickey", as he was affectionately called, was the second born of six siblings to the blessed home of Johnny Frank Demmer and Lela Gipson Demmer. Born with a literal "silver spoon" in his mouth, the Demmer family wealth afforded Pat and his eldest brother O. D. a luxury few African Americans of that era experienced, birthing in Pat an entrepreneurial spirit that remained with him for life. As a mere high school student, his father desiring for his sons to experience a higher level of education afforded African Americans in Louisiana. Frank purchased a home in Atlanta, Texas for O. D. and Pat, providing them a new Ford automobile to carry them to school and return home on weekends. Pat graduated with honors from Rambo High and was immediately drafted into the U. S. Army where his love of discipline and study, served him well, as he quickly was promoted during World War II to Sargent and remained in active service through the Korean Crisis. As a soldier, Pat was decorated with many honors including, two Bronze medals and numerous citations and honors. His service record to his country is documented and displayed at the Veterans of War Museum in Denver, Colorado. While serving his country, Pat met several enlisted men, under his command, that spoke admirably about their home city of Denver, Colorado, and with his completion and discharge from active duty, Pat moved to Denver where he met the love of his life Jearlean Parks, at the now historic Five Points, Ex-Serviceman's Club, owned and operated by the late Bennie Hooper. It was love at first sight and less than a year later, they became man and wife. Pat often boasted that Jerlean was the prettiest woman in town which was only right for him because he was most defiantly the most handsome, suave and debonair man in town! Jerlean would often say she couldn't believe she came all the way from Arkansas to Denver, Colorado, to marry a "Louisiana Geechee." To this union were born three biological children, Birdie Jean, Patrick Lee and Jerry Lee Demmer. A heart filled with love and compassion for all, Pat and Jerlean later in life, adopted Lauri and Enoch and served the city and county of Denver as foster parents, taking into their home, numerous children from broken homes and shattered lives. Caring for people was a major component of Pat's ministry along with Bible studies, theology classes and his beloved Sunday School. Pat lived to help others and teach all the precepts and principles of Christ. It was very normal for total strangers to be found living in the Demmer home because Pat would often bring people who needed a helping hand home with him with no regard to race or ethnicity. As a biblical scholar, many preachers, teachers, evangelist and pastors came from under his tutelage. Bishop Jerry Demmer and Superintendent Patrick Demmer have always credited their father for their biblical training and insatiable hunger for God's word. Pat while remaining connected to his military roots, served as a military civilian, at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal and as a computer processor at the Air Force Finance Center for over 30 years. Pat also owned and operated his own Demmer Janitorial Services for 20 plus years, created Demmer's Western Lamps which he personally created from Louisiana sassafras roots. Pat also ventured into the interstate transport service, as an owner operator of his own eighteen wheeler tractor trailer. Elder Demmer was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Jerlean Demmer; wife, Fannie Demmer; his son, Enoch Demmer; his parents, Frank and Lela Demmer; and brothers, O. D. Demmer, Boyd Demmer, and Joe Lewis Demmer. Elder Pat Demmer departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on December 28, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include 3 sons, Superintendent Patrick L. (Missionary Cora P.) Demmer of Henderson, CO, Ernest D. (Penzy) Demmer of San Francisco, CA and Bishop Jerry L. (Lady Katrina) Demmer of Denver, CO; 2 daughters, Minister Birdie J. Demmer and Laura Banks both of Aurora; 2 sisters, Bertha Love of Vivian LA and Caldonia Steward of Rodessa, LA; 17 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 1/6/2017 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 1/7/2017 at 10:00 AM - Central Baptist Church - 2400 California Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 1/9/2017 at 10:30 AM - Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO