Gerald "Jerry" M. Sales

Waite Park, MN 56387 - Gerald "Jerry" M. Sales, age 86, of Waite Park, MN died November 14, 2020 at the Gardens of Foley, Foley, MN.

Due to COVID-19, private funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Sartell, MN. While the service is private, it will be recorded. To view the service, please go to www.bensonfuneralhome.com/obituaries and select Jerry's obituary. Interment with full military honors will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.

Jerry was born May 29, 1934 in Clarissa, MN to Marion and Viola (Palmer) Sales. He was a graduate Clarissa High School and St. Cloud State University. Jerry served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1955 serving in Korea with the 7th Infantry Division. He married Donna Johnson on August 30, 1959 at Methodist Church, Long Prairie, MN. Jerry was a teacher in district 742 from 1962 - 1993. He was a tennis coach at St. Cloud Tech and was voted by his peers as tennis coach of the year in 1990. Jerry was voted into the Minnesota Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996 and St. Cloud Tech High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, First United Methodist Church where he was active on various committees. Jerry enjoyed tennis, reading, traveling, exercising and volunteering at church.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Donna Sales of Waite Park, MN; children, Jennifer (Tom) Ginz of Guilford, CT; Kevin (Belinda) Sales of St. Paul, MN and Tom (Sally) Sales of St. Louis Park, MN; four grandchildren, Kristina Sales, Grant Sales, Oscar Ginz and Anneka Ginz; 5 great grandchildren and sister, Bonnie Anderson of Princeton, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Loring Anderson.

Memorials preferred to First United Methodist Church.

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

Published by St. Cloud Times from Nov. 18 to Nov. 19, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerald Sales

Sponsored by Benson Funeral Home - Saint Cloud.

8 Entries

Jeff Peterson

December 4, 2020

Jerry had a big influence on my life. He talked me into going out for the tennis team in 7th grade. My life was never the same after that. I developed a life long love of the game. I attribute much of that to him. Jerry was also my 7th & 8th grade basketball coach and 7th grade social studies teacher. He was ideally suited for teaching and coaching. Jerry was dynamic, patient and demanding. I treasure that Is got to play with Jerry when I was in my late 20’s in the 10 pm to mid nite indoor men’s tennis league in St. Cloud. I have fond memories and gratitude for what he gave me and to the tennis community in St. Cloud. My condolences to his family. Jerry made a difference in so many lives.

Michael lunemann

November 23, 2020

Gerald was a great friend of the lunemann family and it was always fun to see him when he came home to the farm. I was like 5 when he came home from Korea and that was a big deal for his mom and dad and us. I can see how his personality made him a great coach, always positive and caring about other people. He left the world a better place for sure and will miss him. Our condolences to Donna and the family. I remember him carrying Donna into our yard to introduce her! Mickey lunemann friend

Pat Lunemann

November 23, 2020

Gerald grew up on a farm across the road from my family's farm near Clarissa, MN. Gerald and my Uncle Ray were best of friends growing up and found plenty of mischief to get involved in together. Later, when I came along, Gerald's parents, Marion and Viola, were like an extra set of grandparents for me. Eventually, I bought their farm, but Gerald never stopped coming to visit. He said he needed to visit "home". Sometimes Gerald would bring sister Bonnie, and in the last few years started to bring grandson Oscar, who now is the next generation to feel roots for the ground here. In July, Donna brought Gerald up to visit one more time. He was having a good day, and a good day it was to see him! All of us will miss Jerry. He made the world a better place.

Brace Helgeson

November 22, 2020

On behalf of my family the Helgeson family would like to send our best wishes to the Sales family . Our entire family was touched by Jerry’s tennis coaching and infectious, positive personality. I/we will always remember Jerry with the highest regards and fondest memories. Brace Helgeson

Amy Wrightson

November 21, 2020

My condolences to Mr. Sales family. I was a student of of Mr. Sales, I have very fond memories of his class. He was a great teacher and was liked by many of the high school students.

NanMTowler

November 20, 2020

I am sorry for your.loss. I knew Jerry through the Church. I know his children.

Tony Schulzetenberg

November 20, 2020

my sympathies to Donna and the family. I will always remember Jerry as a great teacer, a great person, and a great friend

Milton Verant

November 19, 2020

I started my coaching and teaching career at North Jr . High in St. Cloud in 1966. During my 2 years in St. Cloud I coached Jr. High Tennis at North Jr. High and first met Jerry who the Jr. High coach at South Jr High. I was new to the game and Jerry was kind enough to take me under his wing and teach me the game that I grew to love and continue to coach the remaining 32 years of my career as Head Boy's Tennis coach at Hibbing. I also spent some time working at tennis camps with Jerry. I will surely miss Jerry! We locked horns competitively many times with Tech beating Hibbing most of the time . Jerry was always a gracious person and a perfect example of what a great coach and person should be. Ironically, Jerry also made me a Tech tiger as we would see each other at tennis matches in St. Cloud as my son resides there and I've come down to watch my 2 granddaughters who had and is playing for Tech . I always enjoyed seeing Jerry and talking about old times. I respected Jerry as a teacher, coach and as a man very much! I'm saddened and will truly miss him.

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