Jerry Wayne Passer

JERRY WAYNE PASSER Cedar Rapids 2/17/1943 -- 2/11/2022 Jerry was born on Feb. 17, 1943, in Wells, Minn. Jerry was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served as a corpsman for 4.5 years in Washington, D.C. at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. It was in Washington that he met his wife, Susan Burton, and his son Jon was born in 1966. In 1971 his daughter Kim was born. In 1973 he took a job in Cedar Rapids at WMT tv and radio. He worked for 18 years as the Farm Director. Shortly after their daughter was born his wife was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. Every year WMT participated in the Jerry Lewis telethon to raise money for the MDA. Jerry took an active roll assisting with the fundraiser. At Christmas time, the MDA had a party for the children and Jerry was their Santa clause. He loved kids and this was a real treat for him. He also played Santa in the mall for several Christmas'. In 1986 tragedy struck when his son fell off the running board of a truck while serving in the Army in Germany. After leaving WMT in 1991, he spent a couple years doing various jobs such as security guard at the Collins Plaza, limousine driver and furniture salesman. In 1993 his only daughter got married and was blessed with his first grandchild, Triston, in 1997. That baby was his pride and joy. In 2000 and 2001 he got to enjoy the births of two more grandsons, Gavin and Kalen. He eventually made it back to radio and worked for KOEL and Brownfield where he worked from home for another 13 years. This was a perfect fit as he was caring for his son and wife. He began the career with Brownfield in 2005, which was a year of joy and sorrow as he welcomed his granddaughter Aleah to the world and said goodbye to his wife of 40 years. He retired from Brownfield at the age 74. He is one of few that can truly say they loved the job they did. During his retirement years he spent his time gardening, playing with his dogs, rode his 3-wheel bike, did a little traveling to see his daughter in Texas, ate out, and met friends down at the Red Lion for social time, attended his friend's hockey games and ran errands for his friends. He had his routine eating at his favorite diner, Oscar's for breakfast, dinners out on Fridays with a close friend. He was a personable guy that never knew a stranger. He was kind and giving and did his best to help when he could. Over the years, he was always there for his neighbors. He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Burton Passer, July 2005; and his son, Jon Passer, November 2016. He leaves behind his two sisters, Marge Lorenzen and Carol Quackenbush and her husband, Jim; daughter, Kim Park and her husband, Troy Park, their children, Triston, Gavin, Kalen and Aleah; and many close friends. Jerry chose to be cremated. You can visit with his family at noon on Saturday, Feb. 19. Celebration of Life will begin at 1 p.m. at Salem United Methodist Church, 3715 33rd Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. Officiated by Pastor Matt German. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.