Gerald Lee Secor

Gerald L. "Jerry" Secor, age 77, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, after living valiantly with Multiple System Atrophy Parkinson's. A funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 400 N. Saginaw St. Montrose, MI 48457. Fr. Brian Lenz will officiate. A reception will follow the Mass with burial at St. Robert Catholic Cemetery at 2 p.m. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Friday at Rossell Funeral Home and 10 a.m. Saturday at the church until the time of the Mass at 11 a.m. A Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation or PunchWorX in Jerry's honor.
Jerry was born on November 7, 1948, to Jerome Secor and Charlotte (Gage) Secor. Raised in Michigan, he graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1967 and attended Flint Junior College before completing his studies at Johnson County Community College. During this time, he also formed lifelong friendships as a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
In 1971, Jerry married the love of his life, Gerri Kettler. Together they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and adventure over their 55 years of marriage. Jerry was a devoted husband, a steady and supportive father, and a proud grandfather who lit up whenever he talked about his grandkids.
Jerry spent his career in information technology and supply chain management. He retired from Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) as WSM Manager of Supply Chain and Development. He was respected for his integrity, his work ethic, and the kindness he showed to everyone he worked with. Outside of work, Jerry lived life with enthusiasm. He loved his 1970 red Corvette which he restored and enjoyed being part of the Corvette Club of Lakeland. F1 Sundays were sacred in the Secor household. He found joy in running, golfing, computers, and NASA. He also spent years shaping young lives as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America, something he was especially proud of. Jerry was a member of Resurrection Catholic Church and the Lakeland Corvette Club.
Jerry leaves behind his wife, Gerri, his sons Matthew (Becca) of Olathe, Kansas and Eric (Julie Warburton) of Cincinnati, Ohio; his grandchildren, Izzy, Alex, Max, and Gavin, who were the light of his life; his niece Raven; his nephews, Riley, and Remmy Maguffie, Joseph and James Barr; his best friend Dan Fling; and his wiener dog, Vivi. He is preceded in death by his parents; and stepfather, Carl Saugstad; his sisters, Deborah Putnam and Teresa Saughstad-Maguffie.
Jerry will be remembered for his gentle spirit, sharp wit, and the love he poured into his family. His presence will be deeply missed, but the memories he created will remain forever. Please smile when you remember him, he would have liked that.