Jerry Borup made his last heroic gesture on October 6, 2019, closing out an abundant life, lived with smiles and joy, a corny sense of humor, tempered with a host of sports competition frustrations. The good Lord broke the mold after Jerry was born to the late Joseph “Budge” Borup and Dorothy Borup (Adams) on December 27, 1946 in Memphis, TN. Arriving to modest beginnings in Memphis Tiger country, the town shaped Jerry’s seminal years resulting in a life of curiosity, perseverance, adventure, and service to others. As the middle child, it was a treacherous trial for Jerry, but he managed to deliver a steady flow of pestering for his siblings (Joe and Joy Lynn) …he also shared an equal dose with others going as far as the notorious flipping the bird to his brother’s friends (with an unfavorable outcome). Not safe to his curious and often bothersome antics, his mother found him drying out cat bones on the stove for a science project while also receiving a face shot from a baseball bat due to his athletic shortcomings. Jerry realized he performed quite well in this tormenting role as he would later take on the noble cause of harassing umpires and referees at nearly every sporting event he attended. The timing of his outbursts, however, were always off-key as the crowd would be dead silent while Jerry belted out a string of colorful comments. In spite of his obliviousness to proper timing, Jerry was a paper-certified genius. In fact, he cleverly named his first dog, “Moochie” (fitting for his mooch behavior). As a man who chose words wisely, he decided to recycle this name through three pups over his lifetime for simplicity and ease of memory. Jerry loved these Moochies and his naming convention was simply profound.
As he grew into a naively immature and undisciplined youngin’, our hero began his career by enlisting in the Navy to be an Aviation Ordinanceman after an unsuccessful trial with college academics. The Navy promptly shaped him during the Vietnam era as he deployed to Japan. There, he serendipitously met his future bride, Miyoko Borup (Taniguchi). A visionary in her own right, Miko recognized Jerry’s very rough edges, but found potential for a diamond (or was likely duped). Thus, she kindly ditched a prior social arrangement giving Jerry a chance to win her over. A few dates and some corny jokes later, Miko agreed this was something worth continuing…and by the grace of God, Jerry found himself in a relationship well-beyond his social stature and etiquette. Soon thereafter, Jerry redeployed to America, but his ever-persistent demeanor proved its mettle as his promise to marry Miko took shape over a year-long, daily letter writing relationship. Miko finally succumbed to Jerry’s ineptly romantic words and the two married on October 10, 1969. The Borup family tree grew with Joe (Lee), followed by Cathy, and nearly a decade later (Oops!) with Patti. During his adulting years, this self-made man decided to prove his worth to Miko which led him to medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico, and later with a specialty in anesthesia. After completing his residency and commitment with the Navy at Balboa Hospital in San Diego, CA, Jerry relocated his family to Springfield, MO to begin his anesthesia practice. After his return to the Midwest, his legendary service to others prospered as he founded the Ozark Anesthesia Group, becoming the president and building what is now a thriving medical practice. During this time, Jerry also deployed to Kuwait for Operation Desert Storm in service to his Nation through the Navy Reserves. As an anesthesiologist, Jerry worked many long and hard hours over a career, but this man never failed to make a great life with family and friends.
Jerry’s love for sports always prevailed throughout his life, but his teams rarely, if ever, prevailed in the arena. Despite his personal curse for associating with losing records, persistent loyalty remained with his teams. Many cautioned Jerry not to root for their own team for fear that his curse with the sports gods would cascade like cancer to their team. Jerry and sports teams were like the plague that would scare off the common sports fan, but Jerry remained brave through these stormy waters like the good sailor he was. Strangely committed to losing, Jerry often donned his famous Memphis Tigers attire, speckled with the San Diego Padres and San Diego Chargers (not L.A. Chargers). He also had a sweet tooth for chocolate that seemed to compliment his sports watching pastime…although this pastime didn’t agree with Miko’s rules and regulations for good health. He was often known for hiding Ding Dongs and HoHos in places (like the trunk of his car) to comfort him after a Padres loss. And bags of popcorn wouldn’t last three innings with Jerry much like the Padres’ starters. Jerry was always one to call you during and after watching the game to deliver his best “Monday morning quarterback” session. He never failed to explain how this was “The worst rotation I had ever seen!” or “I can’t believe this guy is a professional quarterback!” or “These refs were paid by someone!” or “Did he choke on his whistle?!”. Knowing what was coming, you just had to listen because it made you smile and chuckle. And without fail, you could predict how he would boast during the pre-season how, “This year the boys are going to win it all!” It was just part of Jerry’s antics and we loved them.
In all, this man was always there for his family and friends…and for every telemarketer that would call. He would give you the shirt off his back and he always took a person at their word. Jerry was a man with old fashioned, conservative, southern values. God decided he needed much help and therefore, blessed him with Miko. Together, they lived a beautiful story for 50 years. Besides his beloved wife, brother, Joe, and sister, Joy Lynn, are his three children—Lee of Springfield, MO, Cathy of Memphis, TN, and Patti of San Diego, CA. He loved his role as a father, and relished in his role as Popeye, Papa, and “Lee” as grandfather to Josh, Kenzie, Jimmy, Avery, Hudson, Brooke, and Jackson. He often would say regarding his family, “Children are God’s gifts, and grandchildren are God’s rewards.” Well said Jerry, and Amen.
In lieu of flowers, you may choose to make donations in Jerry's name to Soul Survivor Outdoor (a Christian-based military support non-profit) and the USO (where Jerry enjoyed being a volunteer). Donation links are provided below:
https://www.soulsurvivoroutdoor.org/donate
https://secure.uso.org/?sc=WEBDONATE&show_amount=true
*To celebrate Jerry, we will begin with a visitation on Wednesday, 16 October between 5-7pm at Eternal Hills Mortuary in Oceanside. The following day, Thursday 17 October at 1:30, we will have the burial service with full military honors at the Miramar National Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at Patti’s home at 5:00pm.
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