Gerald Lee Radford

Gerald Lee Radford

”The Water Man”

Gerry was born February 8, 1966, and died July 22, 2007, from a massive stroke.

Gerry is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Kathy; his children, Stephanie and Zachary, who meant more to him than anything in the entire universe; his mother, June McMinn; brothers, Scott and his wife Cherri Radford of Belton, Texas, and Bobby and his wife Amy Radford of Sacramento; sister, Nancy Fontaine of Eureka; 12 nieces and nephews; and his father and mother-in-law, Don and Betty Raffaelli. Gerry is also survived by many, many great friends, but particularly his very closest friend, Garrett Anderson and his family.

Gerry was predeceased by his sister, Laura Nessler in July of 1998.

Gerry loved youth sports around the area of all kinds. You could always find him watching his son Zac playing whatever sport was in season, golf, soccer, basketball and baseball, or watching high school football or basketball, HSU basketball, Crabs baseball - really, any sport that was going on, if he was available to attend, he did and he loved every minute of it. His favorite was basketball. If you were a perfect stranger, he would start talking to you about the sport of the day that was on his mind.

Gerry became particularly close to the people involved in the Redwood Empire Little League Program - kids and adults alike - he was a friend to all the kids and he will miss seeing them play, laughing with them and especially making them laugh.

Gerry worked for the last 11 years at Crystal Springs Bottled Water Company delivering water to thousands of homes and businesses in Humboldt and Del Norte County. His co-workers were his friends. He loved visiting with all of his customers, young and old, and always had a story when he got home about one customer or another. He loved meeting and becoming friends with everyone.

Gerry will always be remembered for his jovial laugh and good humor - you could hear him laughing from a mile away and it would make you laugh even if you didn’t know what he was laughing about!

The family would like to thank Dr. Osborne who was very caring and very patient. The nurses that helped Gerry in the ICU at St. Joseph Hospital, particularly, Pamela, Amy, Caroline, Sherry, Keni and Jenny. You took such amazing care of Gerry and you treated him with such kindness as though he was a family member of your own. It was greatly appreciated.

As Gerry would have wanted, there will not be a sad, dreary funeral. He always hated funerals and probably would not have come! Instead, as his kids have suggested, we will be having a celebration of his life on Thursday July 26, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., at Redwood Fields. Please wear your favorite shorts (because no matter what the weather or what the event, he always wore his) and your favorite baseball hat (because he never left home without one) and come tell us your favorite Gerry story. We are sure there will be many.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Gerry Radford Memorial Fund, c/o Coast Central Credit Union, 2650 Harrison Avenue, Eureka, CA 95501 in trust for his children, Stephanie and Zachary Radford; or to Redwood Empire Little League, P.O. Box 327, Cutten, CA 95534; or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements were under the care of Pierce Mortuary, 707 H Street, Eureka, CA.

Please sign the guest book at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.