My name is Jerome Gidrey Jr, and I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Upon my father's return from his second tour of duty in the Vietnam War he received orders to Camp Lejeune. Our family moved around some, but we always came back to Onslow County, North Carolina. My parents and my four brothers all spent the majority of their lives in the Jacksonville area.
After I graduated high school in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, I followed in my father's footsteps and joined the Marines. I served for nearly 13 years and was honorably discharged after a serious knee injury.
A couple of years after my military service ended, I attended Coastal Carolina Community College for two years and then transferred to UNC-Wilmington, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Middle Grades Education. I taught language arts and social studies at Jacksonville Commons Middle School for nine years. I received my master's degree in school administration through East Carolina University, and I served as a school administrator from 2010 until 2025 and finished my career as the principal of Queens Creek Elementary School, in Swansboro. I am now retired from public education, and proud to say that I have spent every bit of my career in the best school system in the state, Onslow County Schools!
In my spare time I am very involved in my church, Deliverance Evangelistic Temple. I am a member of the Men's Choir, serve as an usher, a Deacon, and am on the board of directors for the church.
I am married to my childhood crush, Michele, and together we have three daughters; Alexandrea, Britney, and Madisyn, a son-in-law, Marshall Mitchell (married to Alex) and a grandson, Troy.
I am excited to start serving the citizens of Eastern North Carolina in a different but equally fulfilling way.
