Jerry Lee Tauber

JERRY LEE TAUBER

Cedar Rapids

Jerry Lee Tauber, 75, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Memorial Mass: 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 1224 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. A rosary and visitation will precede the funeral from 8 to 9 a.m. Interment will take place in a private ceremony at Rock Island National Cemetery.

Jerry is survived by his beloved, Joan Martz of Cedar Rapids; children, Tim Tauber of Palatine, Ill., Chrissy (Wendy Bailey) Tauber of Woodbury, Minn., Jill Jones of Scottsdale, Ariz., Stephanie Flora of Citrus Heights, Calif., Shawn (Amy) Martz of Casper, Wyo., and Amy (Jeff) Kane of Walford, Iowa; grandchildren, Jade (Mark) Tauber, Miranda Danielson, Malcolm Phillips, Ashley Hyberger, Rylie Kane and Dalton Kane; great-grandchildren, Leo, Mia, Arianna, Jayce, Kendrick, Roman and Stella; siblings, Carol Brookmen of Alameda, Calif., Almeda (Ron) Cole of Fort Collins, Colo., Mary (Carl) Ashley of Brentwood, Tenn., Charlie (Sandy) Tauber of Hackensack, Minn., and Patty Sue (Duane) Glew of Orono, Minn.; sister-in-law, Judy Tauber of Cedar Rapids; and many loved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Tauber; nephew, Mick Tauber; son-in-law, D.K. Jones; and grandson, Logan Martz.

Jerry was born May 1, 1942, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, son of Jerry and Ruth (Blankenheim) Tauber. He graduated from Regis High School in 1960. Jerry served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1965, which included active duty and the reserves.

He made his home in Cedar Rapids with his family. His early career included employment with Link Belt (Speeder). His sales career began with cars, hydraulics and Coca-Cola. Jerry enjoyed many years in sales and management with H&W Motor Express. He was fortunate enough to retire at a young age and transitioned to a fun-filled business venture in bus tourism. His final stint was driving a bus locally for the public schools.

For the past 20 years, Jerry Lee split his time between Cedar Rapids and Pensacola, Fla. He loved the water, beaches and exploring the culture of the South.

Jerry led an active life which over the years included slow-pitch softball, coaching, hunting, fishing, walking and always golf. He was an avid collector of abandoned and lost golf balls. He was a member of Knights of Columbus until 2001, including service as Grand Knight in 1988 and 1989. Jerry was an incredible and colorful tour guide, providing both private tours for friends and family and professional tours across the country. Simply put, he loved to drive, find interesting places and share those experiences with others.

He spent many years recreating on Lake Macbride and Coralville Reservoir, enjoying the water, sun, boating and camping with friends and family. The playlist on the eight-track never disappointed him.

Jerry took the concept garage sale to a whole new level. Always one to strike a great deal in his professional life, he carried that passion into the theater of the garage. He enjoyed both finding and selling treasures, but mostly it was the people he met who were the best part of the deal. A weeklong garage sale was the perfect excuse to make friends and have a bohemian garage party.

He was a lifelong Yankees and Cyclones fan. He was happy to engage in a friendly rivalry as long as the Yankees were winning and the Hawkeyes weren't.

Jerry was outgoing and had a rich social life. He was a gifted conversationalist; he made and maintained friendships wherever he went. Jerry was a snappy dresser and a smooth dancer and had charm for days.

The family will host a Celebration of Life beginning at 4 p.m. Friday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 810 Vernon Valley Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. Please come to share stories, have a snack, raise a glass and gather to toast Jerry Lee.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the family to support the Jamie Winter (brother-in-law of Chrissy) ALS Benefit Fund and Hospice of Mercy.

A very sincere thank-you to the many health care providers associated with the VA and hospice who treated Jerry with such care and compassion and the Keller family for their gift of love, music and extraordinary care.