Gerald R. Leipply

July 17, 1934

January 4, 2018

Jerry, as he was known to those who knew him best, left this world on a cold January evening to go riding on his Harley with his good buddies, Jack Rose and Rick Parson. At age 83 he lived a full life and was a gentleman lawyer, and true friend to all he met. A humble and kind man, who never believed he was worthy of the accolades he received; and generously gave of his time and treasure to those in need.

Born in Western Pennsylvania, he moved to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio at the young age of 8, where he made his home, raised his family, and served his community as an attorney, former Cuyahoga Falls law director and later councilman, and also served as an acting judge. He was a graduate of Heidelberg College and the University Of Michigan School Of Law.

In his younger years, he played for a men's traveling fast-pitch softball team, and coached women's fast-pitch softball; and in recent years he volunteered his time as a commissioner for the Akron Amateur Softball Association. In November 2017 he was inducted into the Akron Softball Hall of Fame and was presented with the Miktarian Award. Later in life, he took up motorcycling and taught Motorcycle Safety for the State of Ohio.

In addition to softball and motorcycling, he enjoyed trap shooting, attending coin auctions, all things World War II, and dealing casino table games for casino parties. An avid sports fan, in the spring Jerry would frequently stop and watch a few innings of the Cuyahoga Falls High School softball games; and in the fall he took an active interest in his law partner James Armstrong's daughter Alexis high school tennis, frequently attending her matches.

In the summer Jerry could often be found in Wooster attending the Ohio Light Opera, in which the last show he saw was the performance of the Student Prince, which Jerry had suggested to the Light Opera's artistic director, and ironically is set at Heidelberg University in Germany where Jerry did course work.

Professionally, he was admitted to the Ohio State Bar in 1959, and continued to practice law until a few weeks before his passing. He was a member of both the Ohio State Bar Association and Akron Bar Association; and in 2013 was honored by the Akron Bar with the Professionalism Award. For almost 50 years, he represented his firm in the Akron Executives Association, serving as past president, and legal adviser. He also served as legal advisor to the International Executives Association from 2000 until 2010.

Jerry is survived by his daughters, Etola Leipply, and Tarla Perdew; son-in-law, Mark Perdew; wife of many years and best friend, Annemarie Leipply; her daughter, Martina Bruno; and grandchildren, Chandler and Kyler Leipply-Simbeck, Austin Perdew and Max and Antonia Bruno.

Pursuant to his wishes, he has been cremated. A service to celebrate his life will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 2220 2nd Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 3:30 p.m., with a reception to immediately follow until 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Akron Amateur Softball Commission, c/o Bernie Factor, 466 S. Firestone Blvd., Akron, OH 44301 or Mark Yakubowski, 798 Phoenix Avenue, Akron, OH 44310 or Vintage Wings, Inc., P.O. Box 414, Washington, PA 15301. To share a Memory, Send a Condolence or Light a Candle, visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Akron Beacon Journal on Jan. 14, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerald Leipply

Sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal.

22 Entries

Nathan Crusan

November 21, 2023

Thank you Sir.

Boree

January 12, 2023

I had a lot of laughs with jerry and Anna marie

Phil Wilkins

July 20, 2019

I just learned of this sad news today. Jerry was our go-to for legal advice in several situations over the years; and was always helpful, generous and kind.
I first met him playing pickup basketball before school at Roberts Junior High, where I later had both his daughters in class. He was very intelligent and witty, and I always enjoyed our times together. The last time I saw him, he prepared wills for us; and we reminisced about old times. Our best to the family; he will be remembered by the many of us whose lives he touched with his big heart.

Kathy Cooper

July 19, 2019

I just learned of Jerry's passing today. I'm sending sincere condolences to his entire family. Jerry was a sweetheart, for sure. I met him while I was taking a motorcycle safety course. He was helpful and kind and we became good friends. We shared lots of good conversations and a lot of laughs, too. He was just the kindest soul and such a gentleman as well. I know he is on the other side, smiling down at the thousands of friends he made, and assisted, along his adventurous journey on Earth. I loved his quest for learning and teaching; his passion for others, his kindness and support. He will be sorely missed. Hugs to his family. RIP Jerry.

Jill & Paul Morissette

May 27, 2019

I just now found out that Jerry passed away. It breaks my heart - I don't know of a more thoughtful, caring person than he was. I am sure he is truly receiving a special spot in heaven.

God bless you Jerry for all that you did to help people. More of us should set your example my dear friend! RIP.

Kelly Whaler

February 19, 2019

Such a sweet man. He dated my mom when I was a small child. I remember him taking me out on a boat. He even took the time to help teach me how to ride a bike. I just now found out about his passing. My condolences to all this family.

Ellen Sterling

April 10, 2018

I am so sorry to hear of Gerry's passing. He was a kind, & caring man.
May he rest with God. <3

Jim Stafford

January 21, 2018

To My Friend Jerry,
I was deeply saddened to hear about your passing. Over the many years that you were my attorney, you also became my long-time friend. I always enjoyed our monthly lunches at Molly Brown's Cafe in the Falls. I also enjoyed our time at the annual Softball Reverse Raffle dinners.

I will miss you terribly, but I know you are now in a better place in God's paradise. I look forward to seeing you there someday.

God Bless Tarla and the rest of Jerry's family in this time of loss.

Sincerely,

Jim Stafford
Bath Township

Noreen Smith

January 21, 2018

To Anne marie and all of Jerry's family. I hate you had to let him go. He always said when i stop i will be gone.He loved learning.

I met him from working at Anne Maries restaurant. From the first minute we met, we were joking. It truly was an honor and Just so much fun to know him.

I think he was in his late sixties when he decided he wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle. It was the first time anybody asked me to teach them. We had a lot of fun, he wanted to do everything by the book. Before it was over i think He might have gotten a little rebel in him.

When he learned he did go by the book. He learned to race and he went and taught safety courses. Everyone who knew him, knew he was an all in kinda guy. I and everyone could go on and on about how fortunate we were to know him. I will ride with him again some day

Debbie Rose (Novak)

January 17, 2018

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with the family. I had the pleasure to work for Mr. Leipply for many years when he worked with Attorney Hoover on Portage Trail and then moving to Front Street Mall to work with Attorney Fallis, he was always smiling and loved to play April Fool's jokes on fellow attorneys. I know he brought a lot of laughter to a lot of people and he will be greatly missed.

Kim Palmer

January 15, 2018

My heart aches to know such a great person has left this earth. In all my years in athletics my days spent playing ball under Jerry and with his daughter Tarla created such found memories in my heart. Rest In Peace Jerry and thank you for all that you did over the years for my parents and I. My thoughts and prayers to Tarla and the rest of the family.

Cheryl Koshar

January 15, 2018

I had the privilege and honor of working for Jerry for over 20 years. I started at Sanders Hoover & Leipply and then went with him when he and Steve Fallis started the firm Leipply & Fallis on Front Street. He was a dear friend, great attorney, and a true gentleman's gentleman. I remember him working with Tarla and her pitching and how he always made sure Etola had resin bags for her baton twirling. He loved his daughters and always wanted to be part of what they were doing. He always gave of himself for others. You will be missed both in the legal profession as well as by those who knew and loved you. I'm sure your riding your Harley in the heavens above now and feeling no pain - thank you for being my friend. My condolences and heartfelt prayers to Etola, Tarla and their families and AnneMarie and her family.

Mike Kozlowski

January 15, 2018

Etola and Tarla,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jerry was always kind and inspiring to me. I remember the first time riding to a Bike Night at Quaker Steak and Lube with Jerry and Rick Parson many years ago. He will missed but I'm sure he is riding with his buddies again.

January 14, 2018

The ESTEP family

Alfred Holden

January 14, 2018

My condolences to Cheryl Shaw, Jerry's SISTER who had to find out about his passing by reading it in the paper, and to Harold and Vivian Leipply the parents who raised him and gave him all the love and support to become this wonderful attorney..

William, Jerry, Doug & Margie Estep

January 14, 2018

Our deepest condolences. Jerry was a very close friend and we considered him family!
We have fond memories of vacations together and family gatherings. We loved Jerry very much and he will be greatly missed!
Sincerely,
Doug ESTEP,
Mimi Estep Currey

Northlawn Memorial Gardens

January 14, 2018

With deepest sympathy from our staff,God bless you and your family.

Linda Hanko

January 14, 2018

Annemarie and Martina,
Jerry was a great individual. So sorry to hear of his passing. You and the family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Taryn Campbell

January 14, 2018

I met Jerry by chance when I was going through a divorce - one I wasn't at all prepared for, emotionally or financially. At the time I had no idea Jerry was an attorney, but he insisted I meet with him and then offered to represent me Pro Bono. A feather could have knocked me over! Post-divorce he continued to check up on me and to be a good friend, available for both legal advice or a much needed pep-talk (and he was an expert at both). A true gentleman, I will never forget Jerry's wonderful sense of humor and I am forever indebted to his generosity and his kindness. My prayers and deepest sympathies go out to his beloved daughters and the rest of his family for this tremendous loss.

Pam H

January 14, 2018

My condolences on your great loss.

Every time Jerry came to the probate court, he left behind a smile and immaculate filings. He will be missed.

The Staff of Billow Funeral Homes

January 14, 2018

Offering our deepest condolences during this time.

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