Gerald M. Metzger

Gerald M. Metzger, known to most as Jerry, was born on March 23, 1919 in Vilonia, Arkansas to Martin and Jewell Metzger. He moved to Denver with his parents and two younger brothers at the age of six. Since then Denver has always been his home. After his father’s duty in France during WWI the family headed for California in a model T Ford. They got as far as Denver when the car broke down so they pitched a tent by the South Platte River until they found an apartment to rent. Soon they purchased a lot in Southwest Denver and the family developed a successful poultry farm near Alameda Ave. and Federal Blvd.

After finishing grades 1 thru 12 at Garden Home School he enlisted in the Navy. He served from 1938 to 1946. He went from apprentice seaman to chief machinist mate on the USS Clark. He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific. His ship was to be in Pearl Harbor for repairs on Dec. 7, 1941, but there was no room to dock so they received orders to go to Mare Island, California. It was only a week later they got the news Pearl Harbor had been bombed. They then escorted supply ships back to Pearl Harbor and witnessed the massive destruction.

While he was on leave in New York, he met the love of his life, Alice Madge Richmond at a milk bar in Times Square. Jerry and Alice were married in 1945 and spent the next 59 years happily together until her passing in 2004. Upon his discharge in 1946, Jerry brought Alice and infant daughter, Geraldine back to Denver. Jerry obtained his real estate license and went into business with his father, which lasted 35 years. In 1948 their daughter Judy was born and in 1954 a son, John.

Jerry and Alice loved to travel. They belonged to Ports of Call Travel Club and collected 26 travel badges. Then came their motor home, which got used extensively. The one trip they would make faithfully every year was to the USS Clark reunion to rehash old times with shipmates.

In 2009, Jerry had enough of caring for the family home for 59 years, and decided to move into Springwood where he lived until his passing on Feb. 26, 2012.

He leaves behind his children, Geraldine (Ervin) Bruggeman, Judy (Freddie) Maxfield, John (Norma) Metzger. Grandchildren Lisa (Hugh) Dubois, Anthony Duddleson, Tawnia (Tom) Tatasciore, Toby (Lori) Smith, Jeffrey (Amie) Maxfield, Julie Metzger, and Michelle Metzger. Great-grandchildren Monica Dubois, Alexander Dubois, Conor DeVitre, Noah Tatasciore, Tyler Smith, Brady Smith, and Damian Metzger.