Jerry Saulter

SAULTER, Jerry

In Elk Grove on May 30, 2009, at age 72. Childhood sweetheart and loving husband of 51 years to Ann Saulter. Beloved father of Michael J. Saulter (Cheryl) and Laura Ziegenhirt (Robert). Proud and devoted grandfather of Katrina and Lindsey Ziegenhirt and Courtland Saulter. Preceded in death by his son Robert J. Saulter.

Born in Long Beach, Calif., in 1937, Jerry moved at a young age to Grass Valley, Calif., where he attended Mount St. Mary's school. After graduating from El Camino High School in Sacramento, Jerry proudly spent the next four years in the United States Coast Guard before becoming a Deputy in the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department in 1958. He remained with the Sheriff's Department for the next 18 years, achieving the rank of Captain. Jerry served as Commander of the Administrative, Detective, and Patrol Divisions.

Jerry left the Sheriff's Department in 1976 and served in several roles within Sacramento County government until 1983, when he was named by the County Board of Supervisors to head the Department of General Services. He served with distinction in that role until 1992, when he returned to law enforcement as the Coroner for Sacramento County. Through his professional years, Jerry obtained a Masters Degree from the University of Southern California and later served as an instructor at both U.C. Davis and CSUS. He also found time to serve on the Board of Directors for the Carmichael Recreation & Park District and was a past president of the NorCal Girls Softball Association.

After 35 years of serving the citizens of Sacramento County, Jerry retired in 1993 to focus his love and affection on his grandchildren. Family was always the major focus of Jerry's life. He enjoyed coaching youth sports - his daughter in the Del Campo Girls Softball League and his son in Little League. During these years Jerry touched the lives of so many young people, many of whom he was still in contact with decades later.

Jerry continued his love of youth sports by co-founding and closely following the Lady Magic ASA teams on which his granddaughters would play 20 years later. He was a fixture at all Sheldon High School softball games the last five years of his life, cheering on his ''kids''. Jerry also enjoyed playing video games with his grandson, often practicing all evening just so he could keep up with him the next day. An avid fan of his alma mater the USC Trojans, he never missed a chance to watch them win a football game.

Jerry loved to travel with his family, including several memorable trips to Disney World and Disneyland. He and Ann took numerous cruises, as well as trips with each grandchild for their ninth birthday.

In the last several years, Jerry had served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Sacramento County Retired Employees Association.

He will be greatly missed by not just his loving family, but by all whose lives he touched. Friends are welcome to visit him for a closed viewing after 12:00 noon on Thursday with a recitation of the Rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the HERBERGER'S ELK GROVE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 9101 Elk Grove Blvd. in Elk Grove. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 5, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St Joseph's Catholic Church, 9961 Elk Grove-Florin Rd. A private interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Make-a-Wish Foundation in Jerry's name so that other children may visit Disneyland.