I just found out a few hours ago that Jerry Gerard had passed away ... but as fellow true Born Again Christians .... I know he's with our Lord in Heaven.
I first met Jerry back in August, 1979 .. getting out of the Probation Academy. When they asked me where I would prefer to work I said "give me the worse unit, the toughest schedule that nobody would want and the the best shift leader in the building that I can learn from. I went down on my first "day time shift and Jerry was in charge of U-100" By the Book is an understatement We were both ex-Military and that really helped. But man he ran a tight ship.
Upon greeting him I asked him what do you want me to do? He welcomed me and told me in front of everyone, "get your butt down the hallway and never let me see you sitting down. OK, fair enough. That was the start of learning the job in the Max Unit at Juvie from the best shift leader.
A few months later he and his lovely wife Margy were buying a new home. I approached him and with no contract - just a handshake we agreed on a price on their Genie Lane home in Cardiff-By-The Sea. My wife, Karen and I, put our money together. Jerry, the true gentleman that he always was - took off time from work to help me paint the entire house. How many people would do that these days ? That's the kind of man he was.
I could go on and on. But what would our World be like if everyone conducted themselves like Jerry Gerard did? He loved his wife, he loved his children and loved Jesus. He was never embarrassed to let anyone know he was a Christian and how he wanted to bring up his boys. He was a great witness to me and many, many others. I looked to him as an older brother example - as he had such high morals, standards and integrity.
My prayers for Margy, Steven, Alex and all family members.
Roger Christensen - September 4, 2022 6:47 P.M.