Jerry M. “Peanuts” Gaines, 88 of Smiths Grove passed away Monday October 22, 2025 at his residence. He was the son of the late Emory Gaines and the late Kathryn Gaines Forrester. Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines was born in Bowling Green on June 28, 1937. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn Elkins East Gaines, his parents, step father P.L. Forrester and brother Bill Gaines.
Peanuts was a veteran of the United States Army and faithfully served the citizens of Warren County as Sheriff from 1978-1982 and again from 1987-2018, making him the longest-serving Sheriff in Warren County, and Kentucky history. Over his remarkable career, he devoted his life to public service, first as a Warren County Magistrate, then 41 years as Warren County Sheriff.
Sheriff Gaines was a Founding Member of the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Association’s Boys & Girls Ranch, a five-time President of the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Association, the 1995 National Sheriff of the Year, President of the National Sheriffs’ Association (2000-2001), and the only Sheriff to ever serve as President of the Kentucky Association of Counties (2014).
Sheriff Gaines will be remembered not only for his achievements but for his kindness, humor, unwavering dedication to others, and his ornery personality.
Sheriff Gaines has served multiple civic groups throughout Warren County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, including: the Smiths Grove Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Elks and The Moose Lodge, and the Shriners. He also served his country as a member of the Army as a Military Policeman.
Sheriff Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines is survived by his sons; Phillip Gaines, Mike Gaines and Ronnie East (Lisa), his daughters; Ashley Buttram (Mike), Nancy Clark (Scott), Kelly Jenkins (Bob) and a sister Paula Forrester Tarry (Bud) and sister-in-law Paula Gaines, 6 grandchildren; Carson East, Wesley Jenkins (Samantha), Hillary Shreve (Levi), Will Jenkins, Betsy McCoy (Shathan) Emily Rhoades (Derek) and Jeffery Gaines, 11 great grandchildren; Madison Grace Jenkins, Samuel Easton Jenkins, Norah Kate Shreve, Bennett Hill Shreve, Charli Ann McCoy, Axel Dean Rhoades, Andi Shae McCoy, Elsie James Rhoades, Danielle Faith Jenkins, Cheyenne Gaines and Willow Gaines, devoted caregiver and friend Teresa Chism.
Visitation for Jerry “Peanuts” Gaines will be Monday October 27, 2025 from 12 noon until 8:00 PM at Hillvue Heights Church, 3219 Nashville Rd. Bowling Green, KY. A masonic service will be held at 7:00 PM Monday evening at the church. Visitation at the church Tuesday will be from 8:00 AM until the time of the service. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday October 28, 2025 at Hillvue Heights Church followed with burial in Fairview Cemetery in Bowling Green.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Jerry Peanuts Gaines, to the KY Sheriff’s Boys & Girls Ranch, P.O. Box 57 Gilbertsville, Kentucky 42044. https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ksaranch?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US
Arrangements have been entrusted to J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel.
