Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1949
DIED
2020
Jerry Gries Obituary
March 7, 1949 - February 1, 2020
Gerald L. "Jerry" Gries passed away Saturday Feb. 1, 2020 at Pete Moore Hospice House in Eugene. He was 70.
Jerry was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to LeRoy and Evelyn (Lee) Gries. He attended Sacred Heart High School in Oelwein, Iowa, and was a starting player on the SHHS "Tigers" basketball team. He later played basketball for Ellsworth Junior College in Iowa City, Iowa.
For most of his life Jerry worked in heavy equipment sales; he learned well the back roads and timber sites around Lane County and western Oregon. He enjoyed his work because it kept him active and outdoors much of the time.
Jerry collected and restored numerous cars, but focused on his favorite muscle car—the Oldsmobile 442. He attended car shows and auctions across the country, buying and selling cars and parts, and trading stories with other collectors. Jerry also loved to fly, and was a licensed pilot with instrument rating.
We will remember Jerry for his love of family, his cooking and BBQ skills, and his appreciation for animal friends both indoors and out.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Jade; his four children Chelsie, Jeff, Kevin, and Scott; his sisters, Judith and Katherine; his brother, Greg; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 on March 7 at St. Catherine Church in Veneta, with potluck reception following at Jerry and Jade's home in Veneta. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Greenhill Humane Society in Eugene.
Please sign the guest book at www.registerguard.com/legacy
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Gries
Greg Mackay
February 1, 2023
Jerry is thought of frequently and his memory forever is engraved in my mind. Miss you brother!
Cousin Jacquie
February 2, 2022
Jerry...........you are often on my mind and always in my heart. I am sure you and Pat are in touch with each other now. We were so lucky to have a life on earth that connected our families. Cousins are great best friends. Guide us along the way!!
Jacquie Lee Kelley
John Zacharias
February 1, 2021
Its hard to believe that its been almost a year since Jerry passed away. I miss him dearly, and always will. We grew up next door to each other in Iowa and he was a real loving brother to me. I do not believe that anybody knew Jerry better than I did. We were that close. Jerry and Jade bought my parents property in Veneta from me and built a beautiful new home on it. About 4 months before Jerry passed he called me on a Sat. morning and asked if I would come out and talk. I said of course. I went out and Jerry and I were having a cold one, even as sick as he was he always managed a smile as we talked and hugged, and he LOVED to talk about the GREAT Life and times we had growing up in Iowa. WE both were blessed with Wonderful parents. Jerry told me the last time I talked to him that the best time of his life was growing up in Iowa, and I agree. When God enacts Armageddon on this earth, I hope you and I are reunited again. God Bless JG.
Greg Mackay
February 1, 2021
One year later and Jerry is still on my mind. He was a true friend and is sorely missed! Life is precious and short and losing Jerry is proof we’re not here for a long time but for a good time. I had many good times with Jerry and not enough time with him. Live large in memory of Jerry and know someday we will break bread with Jerry again and talk again with one of the good guys gone on without us.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Terry Gifford
February 23, 2020
I was trying to find Katie when I came across this obituary. It is hard to believe. He has always been in my heart.
How wonderful that he has such a big and loving family to honor him. You are all what made his life special.
Jerry - Thanks for teaching me how to race those cars! You were always an awesome big brother and caring person. You will be missed on the planet. Love ya man
February 12, 2020
Jerry you are and always will be a great friend we definately had our fun working for different Case Equipment dealers over a 30 year span. You are going to be missed by me and a lot of other people, but I sure am glad you are out of the pain you were in. Thank you for the memories you left us all with.
Teri Dahl
February 12, 2020
So glad I got to see Jerry in his home recently and happy he is no longer suffering. You will be missed Jerry!
Big brother - Little brother. RIP dear friend.
Jim & Teri Lupoli
February 11, 2020
February 9, 2020
Jacquie Kelley
February 9, 2020
In the past two weeks, the Lee family lost an unforgettable Uncle Bob and a favorite cousin Jerry. There is no way to explain this other than to say, I will miss them both because they were such real people.
Jerry was born 4th to a batch of 16 cousins who lived off and on together through summers in Tyndall, SD and at least several Easter weekends in Oelwein, Iowa. The moment we arrived at either site, the fun ran wild for hours and hours. I dont know how the parents survived, but we had the time of our lives.
RIP Jerry, you are with the best.
Greg Mackay
February 9, 2020
Jerry was a teammate of mine at Lane Community College during the 75/76 championship season. Jerry was a gifted athlete with great hops, a great teammate both on and off the court! His passion for life and his loyalty to friends and family will be sorely missed.
RIP my friend, you and I will have lots to go over the next time we meet!
John Zacharias
February 8, 2020
My mother and father built a house on City Park Road in 1954. Jerry's mother and father built a house on City Park Road in I think in 1957 or 58 about 1/4 of a mile north of us thru the corn fields. Jerry was 2 years older than me. Jerry and I met when he was 10 and I was 8 years old. Jerry was like a brother to me and my family treated him as a son, same with his parents to me. We were together every day at some point and we fished, hunted, camped, water skied, played at the city park and lake just a couple of blocks away. We both started for the basketball team and had conference winning seasons every year for 4 high school years. Things change when you graduate. He graduated and went about 100 miles away to college. I was sad because I only got to see him maybe a week or two a year. People go different ways at that time and it was Jerry's time. I will miss my childhood and teenage BROTHER forever. My condolences and sympathy to Jade and the family. I know Jerry had a Huge Heart and I pray that he will be in the new World.
Fran Lee
February 8, 2020
I loved sharing a birthday with my cousin Jerry. Always so much fun on family vacations in Iowa and South Dakota as kids. We will miss ya, RIP Jerry, and all my love to Judy, Greg and Kate.
Kathy Adams
February 8, 2020
Jerry and I lived next to each other on City Park Road in Oelwein, Iowa. We graduated together from the SHHS class of 1967. Oh, the stories we could tell! He never missed a class reunion in 50 years and recently attended our 50th. He always stopped to visit every time he was in Oelwein. He will be missed. Sympathy to the Gries family.
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results
Make a Donation
in Jerry Gries's name
Memorial Events
for Jerry Gries
People and places connected with Jerry
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Jerry's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Jerry Gries's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
