Jerry Lee Carter

Born and raised in Phoenix, Jerry met his wife, Georgia, in high school before attending Santa Clara University, where he graduated in 1972. The couple later settled in the Bay Area to raise their family.

Jerry spent his career in advertising, where his humor and outgoing personality allowed him to form lasting connections with clients and colleagues. Warm, genuine, and welcoming, he had a natural gift for making people feel at ease and bringing laughter to those around him.

Jerry found his greatest joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved fishing, barbecuing, tending to his landscaping, fixing things around the house, and always had music playing while he worked. His legendary, razor-thin slices of tri-tip might not have officially revolutionized the barbecue industry, but to his family and friends, they came pretty close.

Above all, Jerry treasured time with his family, especially the summer vacations spent together at Lake Tahoe. These gatherings reflected what mattered most to him: good food, plenty of laughter, and the people he loved gathered in one place.

Jerry is survived by Georgia; his son, Ryan, and his wife, Kim, and their children, Danny, Andrew, Dylan and Katherine; his daughter, Beth Lewis, and her husband, Greg, and their children, Carter and Annie; and his daughter, Jill Thorne, and her husband, Drew, and their children, Owen and Wendy.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held by his family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.