Jerry M. Kays

Jerry Kays Obituary

KAYS, Jerry M.
LtCdr, USNR-Ret
Passed away April 15, 2006. Survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Janiel,and two loving sons, Michael (Sheryl) of Folsom, and Stan (Sarah) of Florida. Beloved grandfather of 6 and great-grandfather of 7. He was born April 6, 1922 in Colorado. An 84 year resident of Sacramento, Jerry graduated from Christian Brothers HS and served his country as a Navy carrier fighter pilot during WWII and flight instructor during the Korean War, stationed at NAAS Cabaniss, Corpus Christi, Texas. Jerry retired from Aerojet in 1983. He was a hiker for Hertz the past 22 years. Jerry loved sports. He was a football referee with NCOA for 27 years, and a commercial salmon fisherman out of Fort Bragg. Jerry had a passion for golf. He now has a standing tee time at rainbows end. Friends and Family are invited to a celebration of his life at his residence in Sacramento on Saturday, April 29th, from 2-5 PM.

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Published by The Sacramento Bee from Apr. 19 to Apr. 20, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Jerry Kays

8 Entries

Michael Kays

April 16, 2007

Dad,
One year ago you left us, for what we hope is a better place. Maybe one where they never have to reseed the fairways, or sand the greens. Or there is never a moratorium on fishing, and the bite is always on.

Yesterday mom and I went to Fort Bragg, 45 knot winds! I am sure you would have been very upset to see no boats on the water and white caps everywhere. We walked out to the jetty under the Noyo Bridge, but it was way too windy for mom to go out, so I walked as far as I could and tossed flowers out into he water you loved so much.

It was strange as I watched the flowers, even with the huge swell and crashing breakers, they floated OUT to the mddle of the jetty!

As I turned to walk back off the jetty something shiny caught my eye, and as I looked down I saw a quarter size piece of abalone shell, softened from the oceans wear, in the shape of a heart. I picked it up and gave it to mom. She smiled, knowing somehow, in some way it was a sign you knew she was there. She said she will keep it in her wallet.

Michael Kays

April 6, 2007

Happy 85 th birthday dad~ It's hard to believe you have been gone almost one year. Everyone has been dealing with your death in their own way. Mom, Sheryl and I are going out to dinner tonight to celebrate your special day. It won't be the same without you there to offer to pay the tip :)
Mom and I will be going up to Fort Bragg next weekend. We will try and get ahold of Keith to take us out to say hello. Hope it's not too hard to get a t-time up there where you are. Mike

Carla and Jackie

April 26, 2006

Jan and Family,

Our thoughts are with you in your loss. Jerry had a quiet stregnth that will be remembered and missed by all of us who knew him.

Linda Dick

April 23, 2006

To Jan & Family

I worked with Jerry those 22 years at Hertz. He and my Dad, Al Miller who also worked for Hertz, became good friends. He even helped provide the place for my parents 50th Anniversary Party. Jerry was one of a kind and very special to me and my parents. He always had a smile and a kind word. He is missed and will always be missed.

Hilda Garrett

April 20, 2006

Jan and Family,

I want to tell you how sorry I am for your loss, Jerry was a wonderful person, he always had a twinkle in his eye. He is in a good place now with our Father.

Love from

Hilda

Andrew Nguyen

April 19, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Karin Thompsen

April 19, 2006

Jan, I wanted to let you know our prays are with you. Janet Omoto let me know Jerry had passed away. I just read your son's message to his dad, and although I only met Jerry a few times, that is they way I remembered him, quiet but his presences was strong. I think of you and Eunice often and my days back at Caltrans. My oldest son is now 14, 6'2 1/2" playing football and doing track. My youngest is almost 12 and very active in Boy Scouts. I hope to see you again some day, maybe at Walmart again!!

Love and hugs

Karin Boyte-Thompsen

Michael Kays

April 19, 2006

Dad~

I love you so much, and still cannot believe you are not here. Every time I walk into your house I feel you there looking over mom. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you when you passed, but so grateful mom had Sheryl there to comfort her. Sheryl is such a special person in my life, and I know you and her had a very special bond that you shared with very few people. And Mom, she is such an amazing woman. Her strength has given us all the motivation we need to go on with our lives as I'm sure you would want us to. I will always be there for her dad, you do not have to worry about her. Dad, you were always so quiet, yet you taught me so much by example. You taught me to face things straight up and deal with them. You showed me how someone could make mistakes, yet be strong enough to learn from their past and change. You were the most wonderful grandfather and greatgrandfather imagineable. Kristopher commented that by being there for him you saved his life. Andrea and Lisa idolized their grandpa, remember how much they liked to mess your hair up and tease you? And how about that Halie Ann? I saw your face light up every time you saw her, especially those times in the hospital when I would sit her on your bed and she would look up at you. I am so grateful she got to know her great papa.

Noone that met you will ever forget you. You were so unique to so many in so many different ways.

I cherish those times we had together dad. Even on the boat when I would get so sick, yet knowing how much you loved the ocean and fishing, watching you out there on the ocean was worth every minute. I never did get a chance to beat you playing golf, but probably never would have anyway. But it was always so much fun just being out there with you, and especailly fun when Stan played with us. You were always so competitve, yet alwasy calm and respectful of those you played with. You never laughed at us when we really made bad shots, but would alwasy try to offer a hint in your own subtle way as to how we might correct that problem. I'm sure you're somewhere right now, in the sun having a great time, either fishing or playing golf. You had a great 84 years here on earth, you did whatever you set out to do, and you did it with passion. You are my hero dad, and I will always love you~

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