Jerald Grainger

Jerald Patrick Grainger ("Jerry") was born on December 8, 1946, the eldest of four children. He was a beloved older brother to Judy Bushnell, Janice Petras, and Jeanne Lemke.

Jerry grew up in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, graduating from Archbishop Riordan High School, and later San Francisco State University. He earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco in 1977, and shortly thereafter was admitted to the California Bar. The law was important to him, as he practiced for 40 years, becoming an esteemed specialist in workers' compensation.

On December 27, 1969, Jerry eloped to Reno with his beloved wife Wendy Grainger, with whom he spent the next five decades. Wendy predeceased Jerry in 2022.

Jerry is survived by his and Wendy's two children, daughter Rachel Puryear (Kwame Puryear), and son James Jess Grainger (Jessica Mitchell); and grandchildren Eleanor Grainger and James Marshall Grainger. He is also survived by sisters Judy Bushnell (Brian), Janice Petras, and Jeanne Lemke (Mark). His parents were June Grainger and James "Jim" Grainger.

Jerry was an avid enthusiast of motorcycles, airplanes, jazz, reading, and classic cars. He loved traveling and road trips, and enjoyed many adventures around the world. He and Wendy took motorcycle trips all over Europe during their youth; he traveled extensively across four continents.

He was bright, tenacious, curious about the world, and open to new experiences. He brought a quick wit and a sense of adventure to all he did, and packed plenty of living into 78 years. He will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Rotary Foundation https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/rotary-foundation, a cause near and dear to his heart.

Services: TBD. Reception at the Basque Cultural Center.