Gerry Chisholm Jacobs

Gerry Chisholm Jacobs, 83, of Raleigh, NC, died Friday, August 27th at his family home. Gerry was a dedicated family man, career IBMer and successful entrepreneur, avid ham radio operator, car enthusiast and tech expert. Most importantly, he was a wonderful husband, father, friend, coach and dog dad.

He was born on December 31, 1937 in Torrance, California, to Harry Theodore and Mary Chisholm Jacobs. Growing up in Southern California during WWII and the 1950s, prior to the incredible growth of the greater Los Angeles area, he was always fascinated by how things worked. He was a self-admitted tinkerer of early-day electronics and household appliances and more than once took apart televisions and radios to find out what made them work. The problem, as he also admitted, was that he often found himself unable to put them quite fully back together, much to the chagrin of his mother and father.

He often spoke of his horse, Sugar, who he kept near the family home and the rides he would take before and after school. His trusted dog Bennie, his childhood companion, followed him wherever he went. He loved the open fields and hills that surrounded his home and neighborhood prior to the development of today. Gerry attended Torrance High School, where he graduated in 1955 and went on to studies at El Camino College in his hometown before short stints with US Steel and Hughes Aircraft. At the age of 19, at the behest of a friend, he took an entrance examination for employment with IBM that began a 35-year career in both the Field Engineering and Data Processing divisions of the company.

A few years after his start with IBM, Gerry entered the United States Navy as a navigator on the early submarine hunter aircraft of the era. Stationed at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard on Terminal Island between the city of Long Beach and the San Pedro District of Los Angeles, he took a two-year leave of absence from IBM while on active duty throughout the Berlin Crisis of 1961. As part of his training, he attended the U.S. Naval Aviation Electronics School in Memphis, TN. He often spoke of how his education there was the best of his lifetime. Additionally, a source of pride for Gerry was his service as a volunteer police officer for the Montebello (CA) Police Department as a Sargent where he was integrally involved in maintaining the peace during the Watts Riots of 1965.

The most important encounter of his life came in 1963 while working at IBM, when he met his beloved wife and partner, Isabella Dolores Gonzalez of Montebello, California. The meeting began what would become a 58-year partnership of love and family that defined his life. The pair brought two children into the world, Gerry Christopher and Trisha Leigh Dolores, and went through many sacrifices to send them both to one of the finest private schools and two of the finest universities in the country. With their children, Gerry and Isabella stressed the importance of education, work ethic, manners and kindness.

They bought their first home on Rio Del Sol in Montebello, but when another position within IBM became available across the country, they moved to Raleigh, NC. Raleigh presented a small-town feel, beauty and opportunity. Though proud of his West Coast roots, Gerry loved Raleigh and always loved being a North Carolinian. He loved the home he and his wife Isabella built together. Over the years, “Isey” taught him a love of animals and he loved watching and feeding the birds and deer that crossed through their property.

After a 35-year career with IBM, Gerry and his business partner, Robert Blanchard, established The Helix Group, Inc. in 1993. Serving clients primarily in the financial services industry, the two were a force in helping companies embrace new strategies to adapt to change and developed a methodology that would later become the benchmark for facilitating change successfully in the constantly moving landscape of Information Technology. The Helix Group brought great success to Gerry and his family and the company was an enduring sense of pride and accomplishment for him.

Words most often used to describe Gerry by those who knew him well or just briefly were “he was the nicest man I’ve ever met.” There wasn’t a person he met who didn’t think of him without fondness or admiration. With Isabella by his side and equal partner in all things, they successfully provided for their children, built a beautiful home and a successful business. Wherever Gerry walked, he left a footprint of kindness in his wake.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Isabella Gonzalez Jacobs of the home they built together; son Gerry Christopher Jacobs of Raleigh; daughter Trisha Leigh Dolores Jacobs Palmer of Raleigh; son-in-law, Michael Palmer of Raleigh; his three step-grandsons, Jeremy, Beck and Brody Palmer, all of Raleigh; and his trusty dog and buddy, Cooper Jacobs, of the home.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Chisholm Jacobs, his father, Harry Theodore Jacobs, of Torrance and Palm Desert, California; and his brother, Harry Theodore Jacobs, Jr., of Yucaipa, California.

The family would like to thank all the family and friends who have reached out with support and love during this difficult time. Additionally, the family would like to thank Dr. Warner Wells Edmundson of Raleigh Medical Group for the many years of great care and friendship he gave to Gerry.

Services were held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 2PM at Mitchell Funeral Home with graveside ceremonies afterward in the Mausoleum Chapel at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Avenue. Raleigh Memorial Park sits atop one of the highest points in the city and is the only cemetery in North Carolina designated as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, a designation Gerry would have loved. A reception to celebrate his life was held shortly after the graveside service. In accordance with regulations from the City of Raleigh and in an abundance of caution, the family asks attendees to wear masks during the events.

For those unable to attend services in person - a hyperlink to the video of Funeral Services, with Military Honors can be found below under DONATIONS.

Gerry Chisholm Jacobs was his family’s guide, coach, leader and supporter. He was an extremely special man who will always be loved dearly by his wife Isabella, his children Gerry and Trisha, his son-in-law Michael and the many friends he touched throughout his wonderful and impactful life.

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