Gerald Irving Day

Jerry was a great man. I knew him through his daughter Daureen. Whom we have been friends since school kids. I as always treated like family when around The Day's. Jerry had a great laugh and sense of humor. I remember as a kid all the different animals he would bring home. It was like a miniature zoo in their backyard. Jerry always had a camera around his neck. And to my surprise he seemed to always get a picture of me putting food in my mouth. He was also like a second...

We´ve know Jerry and BJ for 45 years. They were pillars in our small, but growing church. Jerry was supportive of every age level and was very creative making games, signs, and large clever characters out of wood for VBS and other functions at Christ Community church. We loved and will miss his wide smile and twinkling eyes. Both of our children, now grandparents, have special memories from their youth. We´ll see you in Heaven, Jerry.

My first contact with Gerry was while I was in high school in Tucson. Gerry came to biology classes, scout troops, etc. and made presentations about AZ wildlife. To me and my freinds he was the AZ Game and Fish Dept. Later when I became an employee Gerry was always willing to help with questions, esp. those dealing with wildlife immobilization. He was expert in the Dept. in the early days of use of chemical agent to capture wildlife. Gerry possessed exceptional character and set the example...

I had the pleasure of helping Darryl take care of Jerry for 1 1/2 years after he fractured his hip. He was such a joy to know! I loved how he would point out the plants, birds and clouds. We even started keeping a look out for a red cardinal that would frequent his bird feeder and be a bit dissapointed if we didn't see it that day. He had a strong belief in God and it showed in his happy demeanor. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

JERRY WAS THE BIOLOGEST TOO LOOK-UP TOO. I SPENT TWO YEARS WITH HIM DUING JAVELINA RESEARCH AND HAVE ONLY GOOD MEMORIES AND LEARNING EXPERIANCES. WE WILL MISS HIM.

I WORKED WITH JERRY OFTEN BUT REMEMBER THE TWO YEARS WITH HIM AT APACHE LAKE. JERRY WAS THE EXAMPLE OF THE PROFFINAL WILDELIFER. HE WAS A TEACHER TOO HIS MANY INTERNS AND HE WAS A MAN TO LOOK-UP TO. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED. WE HAVE MISSED HIM.

Gerry and Lyle Sowles gave me my first wildlife job while attending the U.of A. in 1969 tending to the research animals at the Wildlife Farm co-administered between AGFD and Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Gerry entrusted to me the home-raising of mule deer/white-tailed deer fawns during his research with hybrid deer. His mentorship and encouragement helped me on my path to becoming a Wildlife Biologist for USFWS. I will always be indebted to him for his trust and guidance during my...