Jerald "Jerry" Ray Leimenstoll

Jerald Ray "Jerry" Leimenstoll, born in Portsmouth, OH, on August 18th, 1937, passed away peacefully at his home in Greensboro, NC, on August 8th, 2024, his beloved wife and son by his side, after three years of immense courage and resilience living with esophageal cancer.

The son of John Milton Leimenstoll and Lucille Wurster Leimenstoll, Jerry grew up in Cincinnati, OH, as one of four children. He earned his degree in architecture at the University of Cincinnati (UC) followed by a stint in the US Coast Guard and a year exploring Sweden. He then practiced architecture from 1963-1976, first in Burlington, VT, and then Miami, FL, before returning to UC to teach design and pursue his graduate degree. He left UC in 1983 when he accepted a faculty position at UNCG in the Housing and Interior Design department. There he met the love of his life, Jo Ramsay, a fellow professor and architect. They married two years later. The two shared not only a deep love for each other, but also a commitment to beautiful design, community-building, downtown revitalization, and historic preservation.

Together, Jerry and Jo sensitively adapted a historic storefront building on South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro, transforming it into a beautiful, unique, and loving home and architectural studio where they raised their two children, Ramsay and Will. Adjacent to their downtown residence, he transformed a mid-block asphalt lot into an organic pollinator garden. He lovingly called it the DOG – the Downtown Organic Garden – and considered it his place of “peace in the city.”

Jerry stopped teaching full time in 1991, and continued to practice architecture in the Ramsay Leimenstoll, Architect office for another thirty years. His work included designing rehabilitation plans for multiple commercial buildings along South Elm Street and residences within historic neighborhoods across the state, as well as collaborating with Jo on the restoration of the Thomas Day House in Milton, NC.

In addition to his contributions to the design and beauty of buildings, Jerry also worked tirelessly to leave a better world behind for future generations. For the City of Greensboro, he served on the Redevelopment Commission, the Sustainability Committee, and the Tree Canopy Committee. Jerry was also the co-founder of P.L.A.C.E. (Public Lands for Agricultural & Community Enrichment), a group aimed at transforming Guilford County’s former prison farm into a community-led non-profit farm. He was its visionary leader and most enthusiastic supporter working to preserve the farm’s history, address hunger in Greensboro, provide open space to all, foster local and equitable wealth, and model regenerative farming. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church for 35 years. Jerry was a fervent believer in young people. He mentored countless youth throughout his life in various settings.

Jerry's love for his family and close friends was as fierce and passionate as his personality. He didn’t care about material possessions, he cared about people. He was a lifelong learner. Jerry was known for always having a nature-themed book recommendation for every chapter of life. His dedication and devotion to his work, his downtown Greensboro community, and his passion for the natural environment were evident to all who knew him.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jo Ramsay Leimenstoll of Greensboro, NC; his daughter, Ramsay Leimenstoll (Ian Carr) of San Francisco, CA; and his son, Will Leimenstoll (Burcu Bozkurt) of Baltimore, MD. He is also survived by his two grandsons, Leo Rey Leimenstoll and Seeger Ray Carr; Seeger was born just four days before Jerry’s passing. Both grandsons carry his middle name as a tribute to the legacy he leaves behind. Jerry was predeceased by his brother Dwight Leimenstoll. He is survived by his sister-in-law Cathie Leimenstoll; brother Don Leimenstoll (Barb); sister, Regina Fentress; sister-in-law Nancy Ramsay; and brother-in-law Doug Ramsay; as well as many nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and -nephews.

Jerry's impact on his family, friends, and the communities he served will be remembered with love and admiration. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Jerry's memory to the Pachamama Alliance (https://pachamama.org), an international climate justice organization with which Jerry was deeply involved in his later years. His legacy will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know him, as well as future generations who will benefit from his life's work.

A Service of Memory and Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 9th in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church followed by a reception in the Life Center. A live stream will be available by visiting www.fpcgreensboro.org or on youtube at www.youtube.com/@fpcgreenboro. Online condolences may be sent to www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.