Maryville Rotarian Jerry L. Faulkner is a lifelong resident of Tennessee. He grew in a rural area near Knoxville, Tennessee where he roamed the fields and forests of his grandfather’s farm. What was to become the House Mountain State Natural Area was his playground. These early experiences created a curiosity about and an appreciation for nature.

After high school he attended the University of Tennessee but dropped out during his junior year. After a 10-year hiatus in retail, he returned to Tennessee Temple University to earn a B.S. in secondary education – biology. Jerry went on to earn a Masters and a Ph.D. in botany and ecology from the University of Tennessee. He taught courses at Chattanooga State Community College including, General Biology, Environmental Science, Plant Morphology, and Wetlands Ecology. The last half of his community college career he served in administration at Cleveland State Community College and Volunteer State Community College.

His high school sweetheart, Wanda, has been his wife for 54 years. They enjoy travel, photography, bicycling, and hiking. They both serve as Resource Education volunteers in Cades Cove. Both are members of the Tuckaleechee Garden club and are hike leaders for the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in GRSM.
Jerry is a Paul Harris Fellow. He was, for 9 years, a member of the Hendersonville (TN) Morning Rotary Club and has been a member of the Maryville Rotary club for two years.

Inspiration: Greg Newman; Pledge/4 Way: Tony Stubbs; Fellowship: Tony Stubbs; Zoom: Bob Beasley