Gerald Bruce Kesselring

Gerald Bruce Kesselring passed away on December 17, 2024, peacefully at his home in Eugene, Oregon, at the age of 75. Gerald was born April 28th, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan, to Don and Marci Kesselring. At the age of one year old, he and his family moved to the San Fernando Valley area of California. He graduated from James Monroe Union High School in 1967.

Gerald's first job out of high school was at North Hollywood Bike Repair. There, in June of 1968, he met his love and future partner, Jacquelyn Robbins.

In March of 1969, just nine months after knowing each other, Gerald was drafted into the U.S. Army. Stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he worked on a nuclear military base. After coming home for a short time, he was next stationed to Frankfurt, Germany, where he worked in the office at an Air force base. Vietnam was going on at the time. He was discharged from active duty in 1971.

He and Jacquelyn married on March 25th, 1972, in Canoga Park, California.

They welcomed their one and only child, a daughter, Jennifer, in February of 1975, in North Hollywood.

Gerald loved racing. You'd often find him on a Friday or Saturday night racing his '66 Ford Fairlane at Irwindale Speedway. He also loved cruising Van Nuys Boulevard whenever he could.

Gerald was an automobile mechanic, starting his career working alongside of his father, whom he adored, at Wray Brothers Ford in Van Nuys. He later worked at Town and Country Ford in Reseda, until 1979.

In March of 1979, Gerald decided to move his family to Eugene, Oregon.

Gerald worked at Kendall Ford in Eugene for 18 years, then later worked at Wilson Motor Company in Corvallis, until his retirement.

Gerald enjoyed going on camping trips all throughout Oregon. Odell lake, just above Oakridge, was one of his favorite spots. He was also a train and classic car enthusiast. He owned a 16 Hp ride on train that he loved taking to Train Mountain Railroad, the world's largest miniature hobbyist railroad, in Chiloquin, Oregon. Gerald even went as far as landscaping track in his front and back yard to ride his train at home. On his free time, you'd often find him parked off of Northwest Expressway or at the Amtrak Station downtown waiting to observe the next train go by.

Gerald and Jacquelyn divorced in 2002.

After his retirement in 2014, he most enjoyed picking up his youngest granddaughter Cassandra from school, and going to her sports events and other extracurricular activities.

Also, during retirement, being that he loved hot rods, he completely built a Shelby Cobra kit car. He was well known at the "gut" on Willamette Street, in Eugene, giving friends and kind strangers rides in his Cobra at the car cruise functions. He actually attended any car cruise and show he could, traveling all over Oregon. He was a member of many groups including a local group, Friends of "The Gut."

He was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. His huge heart and quick -witted sense of humor left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Cassandra exclaimed "All the way up to my 9th grade year, my grandpa was the one who took me to school and picked me up almost every single day, offering to buy me food which I always accepted. For him, picking me up was not a chore, it was something he truly enjoyed. I'll always be grateful for those rides home, not just because of the food, but because they were moments we spent together filled with his humor and love. The generosity he showed will forever stick with me, reminding me to be kindhearted".

Gerald is survived by his former wife Jacquelyn, daughter Jennifer Langan and son-in-law Mark, of Eugene, a sister, Nancy Lukasik, of Eugene, and 3 grandchildren, Brendan, Devinne, and Cassandra. A brother, Richard, died previously.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Coburg Community Grange, 32663 E. Mill St., Coburg, OR 97408.

Please bring your favorite memory of Gerald.