Gerald "Jerry" F. Bushman

A member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Jerry was born in St. Johns, Oregon, a neighborhood in North Portland, to Mel and Irene Bushman. His only sibling, an older brother, Joe Bushman, was killed in a car accident at age 24, while serving in the US Air Force.

Jerry distinguished himself as a talented athlete at North Catholic High School as high scorer in the 1965 state basketball tournament. He went on to play basketball for Oregon State University until an injury turned his focus to golf. A self-taught, scratch golfer in his 20s, Jerry competed successfully in tournaments around the Pacific Northwest and California. He went on to become a teaching professional at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades and Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena, CA. After operating his own specialty golf club business, Jerry coached high school girls golf teams and Special Olympics Golf. He also coached his children and grandchildren in football, baseball, basketball and golf.

Jerry met his wife Mimi on a blind date while they were seniors in high school. They celebrated their 56th anniversary in Dec. 2024. Their children include: Joe, head football coach at Casteel High School in Queen Creek, AZ (daughter-in-law Shannon); Jerry, retired Lt. Col., USAF, in St. Augustine, FL (daughter-in-law Berenice); and Amy, Special Olympics golfer, San Tan Valley, AZ. Grandchildren include Ally, a wine sales consultant in Portland, OR; Jake, a medical device salesman in Seattle, WA; and Ethan Bushman, a student at University of Florida.

Jerry was greatly loved and will be remembered for his wit, humor, and strength of character.

A celebration of life will be held in Portland in January.