Jerry Bob Ganann

Obituary for Jerry Bob Ganann Jerry Bob Ganann passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona after lengthy and debilitating complications of Alzheimer's Disease. Jerry was born on November 21, 1944 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the first child of Robert King and Margaret Wright Ganann while they were stationed with the U.S. Army Air Corps at Nellis Air Force Base. In December, 1945, they returned to El Paso where Jerry spent his formative years. Jerry attended Hillside Elementary and Burges High School and graduated with a degree in Education from Texas Western College in 1968. After graduation, he taught civics and history and coached the boy's golf team at Gadsden High School in Anthony, New Mexico from 1968-1980. After his teaching career and following the example of his father's many years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry with McKesson & Robbins, Jerry joined Lederle Laboratories as a sales representative and served as a regional sales trainer. Corporate mergers and acquisitions later took him to different cities and successful sales opportunities throughout the country, which allowed productive use of his teaching skills in both sales and training before his retirement in 2006. Jerry and his two younger brothers were raised in a loving family environment by their parents who oversaw the constant activity at their central El Paso home, welcoming friends and classmates to all varieties of birthdays, sleepovers, sporting events and general mayhem that surrounded their sons' years at home. As a result, Jerry developed a congenial and respectful personality that allowed for and fostered many friendships and long-standing personal relationships. He never met a stranger; he loved a good joke and earned the trust and appreciation of all those around him. He had a deep love for animals, especially the many pets who shared his life and compassion. He loved Corvettes and golfing with friends and family. He liked to read, particularly Western novels, and embraced his quirky side by collecting a menagerie of assorted armadillo figurines and carvings. A good evening grilling on a patio was always a pleasure. Jerry is survived by his stepson, Chris Lord (Kim) and their children, Olyvia and Eli, all of Christiana, Tennessee, and by his two brothers, Larry Wallace Ganann (Janice) of Phoenix, and Robert "Bob" Lee Ganann (Valerie) and nephew Robert William, all of Arlington, Texas. Other surviving family are cousins Pamela Round of El Paso and the Rev. James Conn (Susan) of Santa Monica, California. Other beloved cousins are Katherine Patterson (Shane) of Chaparral, New Mexico; Quinn Patterson (Edith) of Alto, New Mexico; Hannah Soloman (Bradley) of Pampa, Texas; Elizabeth Barbour (Anthony) of El Paso; Gillian Barbour of San Marcos, Texas; Mallory Barbour and Ella Margaret Barbour of El Paso; and Ethan Conn of Brooklyn, New York. The family extends heartfelt thanks to all the caregivers who patiently and lovingly demonstrated every day their dedication to and compassion for Jerry and all those suffering from Alzheimer's. A memorial service for Jerry will be scheduled and announced at a later date. If inclined, the family encourages any donations in Jerry's memory to be made to any appropriate Alzheimer's Association. "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty and to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success." – Ralph Waldo Emerson Jerry Ganann's life was a success.