Gerry Arthur Magnuson

Gerald “Gerry” Magnuson of Hesperia, California passed away at home on July 30, 2024 at age 75. Born in Redlands, California on June 15, 1949 to Arthur and Louise (née Bjerke) Magnuson, Gerry was raised in Mentone and graduated from Redlands High School in 1967. He then served in the Army as a wheel vehicle mechanic, including one deployment to Vietnam, from December 1969 through March 1972. On May 13, 1978, he married Sandra “Sandy” Morgan of Rialto, CA; together, they lived in Colton, San Bernardino, and Hesperia, CA and raised two daughters, Morgan Magnuson (1983) and Sara Magnuson (1985). In 1969, Gerry was employed by CalTrans, where he worked for 36 years before retiring as a lead highway maintenance worker in 2005. In 2004, he bravely led his CalTrans crew in the rescue of a five-year-old child, the sole survivor of an auto accident on the 60 Freeway in Riverside County; the event was covered by national media, including the Los Angeles Times and New York Times. Always preferring to be out of the spotlight, Gerry was a humble man who was honored to help. He enjoyed watching Bill Elliot and other Ford Drivers in NASCAR racing, cheering on the Washington Redskins, and boating/waterskiing at both Lake Perris in California and Lake Powell in Utah. He was a member of High Desert Baptist Church in Phelan.

Gerry was preceded in death by his wife Sandy (2003) and daughter Sara (2014). He is survived by his daughter Morgan Magnuson of Hesperia; grandson Nathaniel Greene of Hesperia; sister Susan Magnuson of Sacramento, CA; sister Joan Hawkins of Auburn, CA; sister Kathy Stewart of Sparks, NV; and half-brother Darryl Magnuson of Highland, CA, in addition to many nephews, nieces and their children.

A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on August 19, 2024 at Desert View Memorial Park in Victorville. Donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated.