Jerry L. Hermann

After a protracted battle with pancreatic cancer, Jerry L. Hermann died on Dec. 30, 2017, at the age of 64.

Jerry was born on March 11, 1953, in Richland, Wash., to father Herbert E. Hermann and mother Virgie M. Maloney who predeceased him. He, along with his two sisters, was raised in Houma on St. Paul Street.

Jerry was a reporter for the Houma Courier from 1969 to 1975 which paid his way through Nicholls State University from 1971 to 1975, when he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Before heading on to the LSU Law Center, Jerry served as managing editor of the Courier from 1975-76. He left for law school in Baton Rouge for 3 1/2 years, where he graduated in 1979 in the top 20% of his class. During law school, Jerry worked on the Louisiana Sea Grant Legal Program, clerked for a district judge in Plaquemines Parish and became acquainted with A. Deutsche O'Neal Sr., a Houma attorney who served as his mentor during the early years of practice.

His first job in the legal profession came to him when Judge Morris Lottinger Jr. offered him a clerkship on the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal. He credited the learning and experience he received as an appellate law clerk for much of his later success as a lawyer.

Hermann joined his friend and confidant, Joe Kopfler, in 1992 to form their law partnership, Kopfler & Hermann.

Jerry served as a member of the Houma-Terrebonne Home Rule Charter Commission, member of the Louisiana Judiciary Commission; he also served on the Louisiana Coastal Commission which was instrumental in abolishing shell dredging in Lake Pontchartrain.

In recent years, Hermann underwent extensive training which led to his appointment as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). As a CASA, he advocated on behalf of children who, for numerous reasons, were caught up in the juvenile justice system. Hermann believed his CASA work was the most important, interesting and rewarding work he had performed after 38 years of practicing law.

Jerry recently received the Elton Darsey Lifetime Achievement Award from the Terrebonne Bar Association at its annual banquet. His law partner, Joe Kopfler, who presented the award, said Hermann was a "lawyer's lawyer, a lawyer who was available to help any other attorney who asked." He gave generously of his time in and out of the courtroom. Jerry always had empathy for the rights of the little guy.

Outside of his legal practice, Jerry enjoyed writing and playing music. He also enjoyed writing poetry and fiction, and reading works of other authors. He liked to fish. Jerry was becoming an accomplished gardener before he was unable to handle the physical tasks of gardening.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife and soulmate, Maida Verret Hermann; daughters, Jessica and Shea Hermann; sons, Matt (Sophie) and Trent (Angelle) Hermann; stepson, William Bowman; and grandchildren, Noah, Lillie and Brighton.

He is also survived by his sisters, Virginia "Ginny" Rome (Danny), Nancy Champagne; nieces, Elizabeth Strausser, Gretchen Pleasant, Chelsea Champagne; nephew, Chad Champagne; and his aunt, Verniece Maloney Greene in which he considered his second mom.

Besides his parents preceding him in death, his oldest son Jeffery Hermann died at the age of 28. Jerry often described his son's death as the worst thing that ever happened to him, leaving a hole in his heart that never healed.

At Jerry's wishes and desires, there will be no traditional funeral home or church services. Jerry wanted no sadness or tears when he died but only laughter and good thoughts about the really great parts of living.

A "Celebration of Life" has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 6, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Jolly Inn, 1507 Barrow Street in Houma. Family, friends and former clients are all welcome to attend.

Jerry credited the excellent medical care provided by Dr. Genevieve Maronge, oncologist at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at Terrebonne General Medical Center; and Dr. Craig Wade. When it became clear that the cancer was no longer responding to the chemotherapy, Jerry discontinued chemotherapy and began hospice care through the Haydel Hospice Center of Terrebonne Parish. He credited hospice care with its expert nursing, social work and pastorship for making his last months of life comfortable.