Gerald Richard Thorndyke

Gerald (Jerry) Richard Thorndyke Sr., age 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 5, 2026 surrounded by love ones. He was born July 5, 1938 to Gerald & Marian (Vreeland) Thorndyke in Cayucos, California. He grew up in the San Luis Obispo area, of California. During his teen years his family moved to Littleton, Colorado, where he meet the love of his life Darlene (Richter) Thorndyke. He graduated from Englewood High School in 1957. Jerry & Darlene wed in her family’s backyard in Littleton in 1958 and enjoyed 60 years of marriage. Jerry was a member of the National Guard and started working for Martin Marietta/Lockheed Martin upon his graduation from High school. He spent 36 years working with them, and contributing to numerous projects such as the Saturn Project and Titan Missiles. He was very involved with the Masonic Lodge, York Rite, and Scottish Rite. He was also involved in the Englewood Shiners Club, which included being in a parade group called the Rumble Bees. Jerry was a pillar of the community and involved in many organizations over the years. He enjoyed being outdoors and particularly enjoyed camping and hunting. Jerry leaves behind his sister Donna Schenider, brother William (Bill) Bossert, his children, Debi Thorndyke, Cari Waldrop, Gerald (Jay) Thorndyke Jr.(Jennifer); as well as several nieces, and nephews, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife Darlene(Richter) Thorndyke, his parents Gerald & Marian (Vreeland) Thorndyke, his sister Judy Thorndyke, his granddaughter Hope Thorndyke.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 1:00pm at Olinger Chapel Hill in the Masonic Gardens 6601 South Colorado Blvd, Centennial, Colorado 80121. A celebration of life will be held at Romano’s Pizzaria, 5666 South Windemere St. Littleton, Colorado 80120, between 3:00pm-5:00pm.