Gerald Nelson Marquis

2024 after a battle with prostate cancer.

Gerald (Jerry) was born in Hughson, California to Glen and Wanda Marquis.

Jerry lived in Hughson until the age of 12 when he and his family moved to

Oakdale. He attended Oakdale Elementary School and graduated from Oakdale

High School in 1955 where he served as Student Body President. He then studied

at Stockton College and graduated from University of the Pacific in 1960 with a

business degree.

Jerry met his wife Barbara in middle school, and they eventually became high

school sweethearts. They married just after college and lived in Stockton for a few

years before moving back to Oakdale so Jerry could continue farming with his

father. Barbara and Jerry had four children: David, Annemarie (Sissy), Lucretia

and Jeanne.

When their children were young, the entire family became involved in the Oakdale

Swim Team. Long before the phenom of Katie Ledecky, Jerry knew that young

girls could excel in the sport of swimming and he wanted to introduce that world

not only to his young daughters, but to every child in the Oakdale community.

Jerry was the city swim coach for over 15 years where he taught many young

children a love of the water, as well as all the important life skills borne of

competition: dedication, collaboration and mutual support.

Jerry’s ambition continued to propel him through life—both in farming and his

life-long passion for real estate. As a young boy, Jerry grew up on a ranch where

they raised dairy cows, chickens and many different varieties of fruits and

vegetables. Later in life he co-farmed with his father where they focused on

peaches and almonds. To Jerry, farming was a religion, and tilling the dirt on his

beloved tractor was his favorite pastime.

In mid-life, Jerry delved into real estate where he and Barbara created Corporate

Development—a well-respected real estate business in Oakdale specializing in

agricultural properties. Jerry continued to successfully cultivate Corporate

Development with the help of Rhonda Waddell, his business colleague of over 40

years.

Jerry’s business door was always open to clients, family and friends—who he

would encourage to swing by and share a bit of knowledge and/or a glass of wine.

He was known for his ‘dad-joke’ sense of humor, and endlessly teasing his friends.

Visitors would often leave his office with a big smile and bottle of wine in their

hands!

Along with his sense of humor, Jerry was best known for his eternal optimism, his

overwhelming generosity and his steadfast loyalty--he was completely devoted to

his family and community of friends.

Jerry’s kindness made a positive, indelible impact on every life he touched. He

will be deeply missed.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 65 years Barbara, his sister Gwen Marquis, his

daughter Sissy (son-in-law Dave Schaaf), his daughter Lucretia, (son-in-law Scott

DeLaMare), his daughter Jeanne, and three grandchildren: Joe and Hank Schaaf

and Julia DeLaMare. Jerry’s son David Marquis preceded him in death.

Jerry’s family would like to encourage all their male friends to get regular

PSA tests when doing routine blood work—a simple test to screen for

prostate cancer.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 21 at 10am at Lakewood Funeral

Home in Hughson. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Hospice of Modesto or

the UCSF Prostate Cancer Center (in memory of Jerry Marquis).

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/I1X7Fw?vid=16sdha

https://giving.ucsf.edu/fund/prostate-cancer