JERRY LEE DOBBINS, age 76, a resident of Irving for 45 years, died Friday, December 9, 2011 in Irving. Jerry was born to Milas Lee Dobbins & Odessa Carwile Dobbins on September 5, 1935 at home on the farm in Drasco, Runnells County, Texas. He attended elementary schools in Drasco & Baldwin Communities and Junior and High School in Winters, Texas, graduating high school in 1953. He attended McMurry College in Abilene, Texas, where he met his wife, Melba Teer. They were married on September 3, 1955 in Wortham, Texas. In September 1958, Jerry was inducted into the United States Army and served for 2 years. He served 18 months of that time in Nuremburg, Germany, where Mel was able to be with him for a year. Following his discharge, he decided he did not want to pursue a career in the education field as he had planned, so he went to work in the insurance industry in Dallas where he worked for 3 different insurance companies as a work comp casualty underwriter for 41 years, retiring in 2001. In 1972, Jerry, Melba & Bruce joined Northgate United Methodist Church in Irving. Since that time, he and Melba have been involved in much of the business and the activities of the church. Next to his marriage, his greatest joy was the adoption of their son, Jerry Bruce on Jerrys 28th birthday. He is survived by his wife, Melba of 56 years; son Bruce and his wife, Dixie of Wichita Falls, Texas and grandson Scott Tyler who is attending Texas A & M University; step-granddaughter Misty Orr, her husband Robert Niles and their children Tristan Niles and Aaron Niles. Other survivors are siblings, Marty & Allen Sikes of Phoenix, Arizona; David & Marc' Dobbins of Junction, Texas; and Wayne & Carolyn Dobbins of Lake Brownwood, Texas. He leaves behind 26 nieces and nephews, a number of cousins and a host of friends. The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home. Service is 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 14 at Northgate United Methodist Church, 3700 West Northgate Drive in Irving with Rev. Scott Holcomb-McLain and Rev. Margie Steele officiating. Interment service is 1:30 p.m., Wednesday at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Northgate United Methodist Church, 3700 West Northgate Drive, Irving, Texas 75062.