Jerry J. Amick

Jerry was born May 28, 1941 in Rolfe, Iowa to Paul and Nora Amick. He often reflected on his youth with walking to school uphill both ways in snow, having to traverse “McCratchen Hollow” (which he would refer to in scary bedtime stories) and playing on a farm with their dog, Wally. Later, the family would move to Pocahontas, Iowa where Jerry was the oldest of five siblings and embraced his role and responsibilities within the family and church.

Jerry married the love of his life, Janet Cogley, August 24, 1963. Jerry and Janet met at age 14 in their hometown of Pocahontas, Iowa and have been together ever since.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jim Amick; and brother-in-law, Stan Boyle. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janet; his children: Mark (Amy) Amick, Laura (Rob) Mangler, and Diane (Mike) Parapetti; and his grandchildren: Alec and Ellis Mangler, and Wyatt Amick. In addition, he is survived by his siblings: Judy Amick Boyle, John (Joane) Amick, and Jan Amick (Don) Erpelding; and their families. Jerry loved his family very much.

Jerry was a star basketball and baseball player in high school at Pocahontas Catholic where he made lifelong friends, and Janet cheered. During his senior year, Jerry helped lead the Eagle’s basketball team to a 24-1 record with their only loss coming in the state championship.

Jerry went on to play basketball at Loras College in Dubuque, IA before transferring to the University of Iowa. As a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, it was there that he first learned of “pizza” which then became a lifelong passion for him and within the Amick household. Jerry graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Iowa in 1963.

Jerry was drafted in 1966, where he served actively in the U.S. Army until 1969 when he then served in the reserves for another three years. Jerry was honorably discharged in November of 1972. While his service had him serve in many locations, his primary base was at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, CO and we thank him for his service.

After graduating from the University of Iowa in 1963, Jerry went to work for Sears Roebuck and Company. After serving in the U.S. Army, Jerry returned to Sears for a long career. Jerry started out as Traveling Auditor and continued to advance in his career in leadership roles within Finance and Accounting for nearly 30 years. Jerry then went on to become the CFO at the American Blind and Wallpaper Factory outside of Detroit, MI before finally retiring in 1998. It is believed, that aside from the occasional vacation, Jerry never missed a day of work due to his strong work ethic.

Upon retiring, Jerry found time for his favorite hobbies. He was an avid tennis player and continued to play until just a few years ago. Jerry was so intrigued with numbers that he wrote a computer program in the 1980 timeframe on a cassette tape to play blackjack and learned the odds. It was a game which he enjoyed playing throughout his life, but gradually became annoyed as $5 tables became less available. While an Iowa Hawkeye, Jerry loved Kansas Jayhawks Basketball and followed the team extensively.

Most of all, Jerry loved spending time with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers and in his spirit of honoring those who serve in the armed services to protect America, Jerry requested that donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at: www.woundedwarriorproject.org

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be in the coming weeks.

Every year, when asked what he would want for Christmas or his birthday, Jerry would reply, “For everyone to be happy.”