Jerry G. Jacobs

Jerry G. Jacobs finished his final eighteen holes strong and is re-uniting with friends and family at the great heavenly clubhouse. He was a humble man, with a great sense of humor, whose love and devotion to his wife Carma never wavered after 73 years of marriage. Jerry was born on October 26, 1928, in Ogden, Utah, the second child and only son of Eldred Madsen Jacobs and Edith E. Grundy. He attended Ogden schools graduating from Ogden High School in 1946, where he was captain of the ROTC rifle team. At seventeen he joined the U.S. Army of Occupation with his two best friends. His aptitude test sent him to Vienna, Austria, where he served at headquarters in the Intelligence Section. One of his greatest memories was traveling around Europe with every three-day pass they could get. He attended college on the G.I. Bill, receiving his associate from Weber State, a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and his MBA from the University of Utah.

 He served as president of the Alpha Rho Omega fraternity at Weber State. He was also a member of the Air Force Reserves for eight years. He met Carma Browning at a club dance, and they were married on June 28, 1953. Jerry couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t have a job. He started out as a stock boy at the Rainbow Market and a pin setter at the Mapleway Bowling Center. When he returned home from the army, he worked at the Ogden Defense Depot.

 After college, he worked at Swift and Co., Hercules, and Marquardt Corporation. He eventually retired from Williams Research as a manager of Production and Inventory Control. The highlight of his career was designing and setting up a new manufacturing complex designed for high-volume production of parts for the Navy’s Might Mouse rocket. The highlight of his golf career was his hole-in-one on the seventh hole at Davis Park in July of 1979.

 He enjoyed his two daughters, and his grandchildren. At various times teaching them to golf, ski, fly fish, shoot, ride bikes, drive cars, play ping pong, pool, and chess. The wisdom he imparted to family and friends cannot be measured. His service to others including his mother, mother-in-law, and wife were beyond most people’s abilities. He had more energy than those twenty years younger.

 He will be remembered as a master craftsman, building everything from furniture and wooden toys to finishing his basement, including wiring and plumbing. He was also a landscape artist, who made his yard an oasis of tranquility in a hectic world. His motto was, “if it’s worth doing, it is worth doing right.”

 He had many lifelong friends, not the least of which were flocks of birds that counted on him for food throughout the winter which he provided with his many handmade bird feeders. The last few weeks of his life he showed warrior-like strength after a terrible fall. His courage through all his adversities has always been an example. There are just a few men who are truly great, and he was one of those.

Not a big man, the space that he took up in our lives and hearts was vast. As a kind father, devoted husband, involved grandfather, beloved brother, and constant friend. Thanks for the example! Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Carma, his daughters Jana (Tom) Dearden, and Paris (Andy) Morgan. Grandchildren, Austin, Chris, Hayley, Chris L., Sara, and Mallory. Great-grandchildren; Jacob, Clark, Stockton, Davis, Hogan, Keira, Kate, Megan, Bryson, Cole, Kellan, Elise, and one on the way. His sisters Shirley Frecker and Carol Simonsen. Preceded in death by his parents and sister Lillian Walker.

Funeral services will be held at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah, Tuesday, October 22, 2:00 p.m. Family and friends may visit Monday, October 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. prior to the service at the mortuary.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.