Jerry Chambers

Jerry A Chambers, 88, passed away peacefully on January 16th, 2025. Jerry was born on October 12th, 1936 to Carl and Lucille Chambers. He was the youngest of four sons. Carl and Lucille raised Jerry and his brothers in Columbus, Grove City, Bellefontaine and West Mansfield, Ohio.

Jerry had an idyllic childhood chasing his brothers, riding his bike, attending church, working as a paperboy, setting pins at the bowling alley and playing sports. He was a talented athlete, and excelled in basketball as he grew to be 6’4 inches tall. His athletic pursuits in high school led to a college scholarship to Ashland College where he played baseball and basketball. Following his time at Ashland, he enlisted in the Air Force where he worked as a radar maintenance technician.

While serving in the Air Force, he was sent to Germany where he met and married the love of his life, Maria, his wife of 55 years. Their love story was inspiring, as Jerry fought for several years to gain the acceptance of her family. When he finally earned that acceptance, they were married, and Maria left her home and family to live in America with her new husband. Jerry and Maria raised three children together in Columbus and Gahanna, always setting an example of a loving marriage. They enjoyed socializing with friends, working on their homes, and supporting their children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors. It was very important to Jerry to make sure that Maria could return to Germany to visit as much as possible, and he made that happen for her and their whole family. Jerry worked for Western Electric (later AT&T) for many years as a Data Center Manager. Upon retirement, he worked in disaster recovery for Alliance Data Systems.

He was an avid scratch golfer with many trophies to show for his skills. He loved golfing with his brothers and he was in high demand for area tournaments. Jerry enjoyed Buckeye football - he cheered for the Buckeyes and critiqued them in equal measure, and he shared this passion with his children, grandchildren and even his German family. Jerry also loved cars. He had 25 different cars in his 88 years, including a 911 Porsche, which he loved to show off and drive at top speed on the roads behind the airport. Perhaps Jerry was best known for his humor! Jerry was a funny guy. He always had a comment or response that sometimes shocked you, but always made you laugh.

Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife Maria, his mother Lucille, and his father Carl, his mother- and father-in-law, Franz and Margaritte Steffen, his brothers Bob, Bud and Richard Chambers, sister-in-law Carol Chambers and brother-in-law Hubert Steffen.

He is survived by his sisters-in-law Lynda Chambers and Paula Steffen, and brother-in-law Heinz (Christa) Steffen, his children, Janette (James) Thomas, Bruce (Yolanda) Chambers, Keith (Ann Marie) Chambers, his grandchildren Christopher (Rachel), Steffen and Benjamin Thomas, Amara (Joshua Decker) and Susan (Bret Coons) Chambers, Maddie (Eric Bretschneider) Bray, Sebastian Chambers and great-granddaughter Talulah Thomas.

The family wishes to thank the receptionists, aides and nurses at Story Point Powell North.

Visitation will take place on Friday, January 24, 2025 , from 11:30am – 1:00pm at Schoedinger Northeast, 1051 East Johnstown Road in Gahanna, Ohio. Jerry’s funeral service will be held at the funeral home following visitation, beginning at 1:00pm.