Vickers, Jerald 'Jerry' Lynn

Jerald “Jerry” Lynn Vickers, 60, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Boone, passed away peacefully at St. Luke's Hospital May 1, 2013, due to complications of lung cancer.

Jerry was born Jan. 12, 1953, in Denison, Ohio, to Delmar and Irene Vickers, along with his twin brother, Jeff. Jerry was the youngest of five boys in the family. He spent his young years in Ohio until moving with his family to Mesa, Ariz. In 1975, he moved to Boone, Iowa, where he met Kathy Jacobsen, whom he would marry on Oct. 21, 1976.

Jerry began his own carpet cleaning service, Jerry's Carpet Cleaning Service in Boone in 1981 and continued cleaning businesses around town until 1984, when he began an 18-year run at Frigidaire in Jefferson, Iowa. While at Frigidaire Jerry was the union president of Local 1540 for 12 years and was very active in shaping work policies for the company. He left Frigidaire in August 2001 to take a position at JAMAX in Roland, Iowa. Jerry moved to Cedar Rapids in 2009 and began work at Goodwill of Heartland, where he retired from in March 2013.

Jerry was a sports enthusiast of many different sports. He was very involved with the Boone Little League program during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He served as a board member, head coach and umpire during his many Saturdays spent at the complex. He loved to bowl and watch baseball and football on television. He was a very big fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Iowa Hawkeyes.

Jerry's greatest contribution to the world was the laughter he provided to all his friends and family. Always quick with a joke or a shared laugh, Jerry was often the life of the party and never lost his sense of humor.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Delmar; mother, Irene; and brothers, Jim and Jeff.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy (Cedar Rapids); daughter, Kari (Cedar Rapids); son, JJ and partner Noi (Toledo); brother, Dave and his wife, Jean (Grand Junction); brother, Ron and his wife, Julie (Grand Junction); sister-in-law, Janelle (Boone); six grandchildren; and 15 nieces and nephews.

Jerry wished to be cremated upon death. The family will be holding a celebration of life in Boone on Saturday, May 4, from 2 to 5 p.m. Please check Jerry's Facebook page for more information or to leave a message.

Please leave a message or tribute on the website www.iowacremation.com under obituaries.

Published May 3, 2013 in The Gazette