Casper "Ricky" Martin Jernigan, 63, of Lillington passed away Thursday December 16, 2021, at Central Harnett Hospital.

He was born February 7, 1958, in Johnston County, NC to Doris Davis Jernigan and Casper Jernigan. Ricky was preceded in death by his father, and his brother, David Jernigan.

Ricky served his country honorably in the United States Navy as a nuclear trained submariner. He would go on to pursue a career with Duke Energy. Throughout his career, he fulfilled 35 years in operations holding numerous roles including senior reactor operator, control room supervisor, superintendent of shift operations, nuclear shift manager, and as a nuclear operator specialist. He was one of the first employees at the Harris Nuclear Plant to receive a senior reactor operator license. In 2019, Ricky was transferred to serve as the outage lead nuclear work management specialist performing the duties of primary systems scheduler.

Ricky is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Teresa McDonald Jernigan.

The family will receive friends from 12PM to 1PM on Wednesday December 22 at Calvary Baptist Church at 8326 NC-27, in Lillington. A funeral service will follow the visitation at 1PM in the church sanctuary with Pastor James Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church at P.O.  Box 1162, Lillington, NC 27546.

In accordance with current North Carolina COVID-19 guidelines, the funeral home requests that everyone in attendance practice social distancing and wear a face covering.