Here's a Jerry story.
Scene = some drinking has been occurring.
Jerry to unsuspecting victim, " what's the capital of Thailand?"
Victim, " uhhhhhhhh Bangkok?"
Jerry as he's swinging for the victims crotch................. "Bangkok eh?"
gotta love him.
Tsk tsk tsk
Jerry visited our DZ last summer to assist with an AFF Course. Not only was he a great instructor and fun to be around, Jerry's passion and love for his family was so clear.
His wife sent him a bouquet in big yellow smiley face mug for their anniversary. It's hard to describe, and I don't remember the exact words, but Jerry's love for Belinda was so obvious and true. He talked about growing old with her, sitting on the porch... I can't help but keep remembering that, and the look in his eyes while he spoke.
Jerry will be missing you as much or more than you miss him. Wishing you the comfort of your memories and all the support that you can handle.
Blue skies forever
The first time I met Jerry was at Z-Hills in January of 96'. I didn't
really get to know him them, but the second time I met him, I will
never forget. We were at Eloy for '96 Nationals.
We had trained and were getting cleaned up after practice and decided to hit the showers. Well, If you've ever been in a shower with Jerry, you would never forget it. It was both the funniest and most horrifying thing that had ever happened to me at that time.
We also got to experience an ad lib rap session with that was amazing in itself.
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Jerry was a very eloquent speaker and rallied us as a community at
that event. We teamed up with The Ghost Riders to win 8-way speed. I remember something that Jerry said that inspired me then. He said "Your base caught us off guard; we didn't expect it to be that fast. It won't happen again" That was round 1.
We never looked back. It was awesome to have him on our team in 2000 for Nationals, he had a way of bringing people together.
Team Infinity was practicing at Kapowsin that summer. It was pretty warm and Jerry took of his t-shirt. I noticed there were huge scars on Jerry's back, so I asked him how they happened. In a pirate-ish voice he said "Arrrggg, that happened when I was fightin' the Great White". I figured he couldn't or didn't want to say, so I left it go.
As he was putting away his gear that evening, I walked up a very earnestly said "Thanks Jerry, for being a true American patriot." He looked at me and stammered "Why? ... What do you mean???" I said "Jerry, I know enough about what you do that I don't need to know any more. It's because of guys and gals like you I sleep in a warm bed a night without the fear that other people live with. That's a true patriot in my book. Thank you." He was clearly humbled by what I said. I extend words those to everyone in the military that honorably serves our country.
My jump with Jerry --
I did not know Jerry that well but in the time that I did, he made a huge impression on me as far as skydiving goes. He was my instructor for my check dive. That was the first time I had met him.
It was August 5, 2007. He allowed me to "create" the dive flow and told me it was going to be a piece of cake. I was so nervous I thought I was going to fail! So we leave out of the plane and everything went perfect until I just about kicked him in the face "twice"!
He told me that if I had then it would have been his fault, he was the instructor! I figured he was just being nice, later on I found out he was just being Jerry! He gave me a piece of advise that I think about every time I go to the dropzone.
He told me to make sure I did plenty of two ways even if I thought it was too easy. That I could learn more from doing that then trying to progress too quickly.
As he signed my log book he told me that he would gladly jump with me again. A few months after that he showed up at the dropzone, I asked him if he wanted to jump. He told me that he would not be jumping that day and would see me when he returned to do some jumps then. I was looking forward to it.
He was a really great guy and I know he will be missed. I will keep his family in my prayers.
