Jerry Don Gleaton is no stranger to Howard Payne or Brownwood. He has been an assistant baseball coach for the Yellow Jackets for several years.

Jerry Don has lived in Brownwood for 47 years “J.D.” left Brownwood High School and became a first team All-American pitcher at the University of Texas in 1979. He was drafted in first round by Texas Rangers that same year and was the eighteenth pick over all.

His career stints include:

Texas Rangers 1979-80

Seattle Mariners 1981-82

Chicago White Sox 1984-85

Kansas City Royals 1987-89

Detroit Tigers 1990-91

Pittsburg Pirates 1992-93

He retired from his major league career in 1993, after pitching 14 years in both the American and National leagues. Jerry Don scouted for the Detroit Tigers from 1994 – 1996. In 1999, was inducted into the University of Texas Longhorn Hall of Fame.