Gerald "Jerry" Deters

1928 - 2013

DETERS

Gerald "Jerry", 85 passed away Friday July 5, 2013.

Jerry dedicated his life to family and community.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Marge (Bacovcin) Deters. He is survived by his six children: Margo Willman (Jim), Lori Simendinger (Mark), Paula Heidrich (David) Monica Lautz (Andrew), Josh Deters, and Gretchen Slagle (Todd). He also leaves behind brothers Charlie and Jim Deters and sisters Joan Maus and Kathy Lonneman, 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Born in Cincinnati, raised in Taylor Mill, Jerry graduated from Holy Cross High School and Villa Madonna College.

As a boxer in his youth, he won a Cincinnati Golden Gloves Championship. At 17 he built and sold his first home, which was the genesis of Deters Brothers Builders, his company that later developed a large subdivision in Lakeside Park.

After being selected for a top secret Army cryptography unit he was stationed in Paris in 1951 where he personally decoded messages for General Eisenhower.

As the son of former Times Star Newspaper editor, Clemens ( Bud) Deters, Jerry learned about community issues and politics while at the kitchen table. Throughout his professional career, he would lead many initiatives, always pushing to advance the Northern Kentucky area through new investment and community cooperation. He was most known as the developer and operator of the Drawbridge Inn and Convention Center from 1970 through 2001.

He founded and served as the first Chair of the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau. He tirelessly worked to see his vision of Main Strasse become a reality. He was instrumental in forming and served on the board of the Tri County Economic Development Corporation (TRI-ED). He was the President of the Homebuilders Association at both the State and local levels. He served on the board of the Greater Cincinnati International Airport, and assisted numerous fundraising campaigns for charities.

Visitation: Tuesday July 9, 2013 from 4:00 PM- 7:00 PM followed by mass of Christian Burial at 7:00PM at St Timothy Church, 10272 US Highway 42, Union, KY 41091.

All are invited to a reception celebrating Jerry's life in the Church undercroft following Mass. Family and friends are also welcome to attend the Committal service at 11:00 am Wednesday at St Mary Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to Tri-State Parkinson's Wellness Chapter, Cincinnati, Ohio, Redwood School , Ft. Mitchell Kentucky, or the St. Elizabeth Hospice program, Edgewood, Kentucky.

Ronald B Jones Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences to www.ronaldbjones.com

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