Jerry graduated from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following a summer in Germany as an American Field Service exchange student. He attended Princeton for three years, joining Dial Lodge and serving as a football manager. He then transferred to the University of Iowa, where he obtained bachelor’s degrees in history and education, and subsequently earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
His career was in education, beginning as a junior high school social studies and language arts teacher in Racine, Wis. In 1968 he moved to Sanford, N.C., where he worked for 30 years with the Sanford city and Lee County schools. He had a wide variety of central office responsibilities, concluding as administrative assistant to the superintendent.
Active in his community, Jerry was a longtime member of the Sanford Rotary Club and a member of the board of directors of the Lee County Community Orchestra. He delivered food for Meals on Wheels and drove for Highway to Healing.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 49 years, Reinette; his children, Scott, Jennifer Holt, and Matthew; and six grandchildren. We have sent condolences.