William Jerome (Jerry) Stanley was born September 9, 1951 in Portland, Oregon to Harold and Patsy Ruth Goodwin Stanley. He was the oldest of 4 children. Jerry grew up in the Portland area, attended David Douglas High School and graduated from there in 1969. Jerry fell in love with car racing at an early age and even worked on a pit crew. He raced sprint cars. One time he even got to drive a lap car at the Indianapolis 500 Speedway! Jerry joined the Marines. He returned home and began work as a mechanic for Tony Forbes and also took jobs on two boats as a first mate, the Sandwich and Kathy Sue both out of Ilwaco.
He met a cute little “Army Brat” named Sharon in 1972 and married her in 1973! She was the love of his life then and his love for her over the years have never wavered! There are plaques all over their home telling that story. Jerry and Sharon lived in Portland in the beginning but moved to Gresham in the 1980’s. He drove truck for several companies but ended up at Yellow Trucking and stayed there until he retired October 31, 2008. He received many safety and driver awards during his tenure there. After retirement Jerry kept working but he quit completely in 2012 after a stress heart attack. Jerry will be remembered for having an impeccable work ethic. He was punctual, always on time and worked hard at anything he ever did or tried.
Along the road of life with Sharon they enjoyed travelling together to Alaska for pleasure on a cruise in 1998 and of course fishing in 2008! Jerry loved everything outdoors. An avid fisherman and eventually a fishing guide on the Columbia he was well known and respected as a knowledgeable and skilled sportsman. He has taught countless people how to fish. He also was involved in hunting all his life and has several horn mounts in his home to attest to his success. Jerry loved camping with the family as well and we talked of the many outdoor adventures they shared together. His greatest joy was to share his knowledge and skills for the outdoors with his kids and grandkids. He taught them how to build a teepee, a fire, how to shoot, fish and survive in the wilderness. Jerry even taught them self-defense tactics and how to undo knots so they could survive in the city! He loved children and would get down on their level and play with them. His daughter and her friends put curlers in his hair when they were little!. He would say that is why he did not have hair. He was also known for his annual holiday Christmas chocolate chip cookies he would bake and share with many of his family member and friends. A treat everyone looked forward to.
Katherine described her father as “A Teddy Bear in a Grizzly Bear costume.” However, she added that if you crossed the Teddy Bear the Grizzly would come out to get you! Jerry was always trying to make others laugh. He was an encourager who tried to bolster others to keep trying and to tell them how well they were doing. He did his best to bring folks up out of sadness or depression. He could cheer up complete strangers by doing things like throwing down his credit card and telling the cashier, “Look, it didn’t bounce, it must still be good!” Or he might ask them if they took government checks. The he would explain that the government money was signed twice just like a check. Katherine told me of the many Sundays that her dad would make breakfast for the family and then they would head out on an adventure together to a river or a mountain or some great thing that they just needed to see. As they travelled they looked for animals and all the wonders and beauty of nature.
One of many things that impressed me as I visited with Sharon and Katherine was how much Jerry loved his wife. All over the walls were plaques about the love that he had for Sharon and how much he cherished her. They were married in 1973 at the church of his youth, 1st Baptist. He repeated his vows with her 3 times more over the years. The last time he would make it a surprise and did it when she least expected it. Most would repeat their vows on their 25th anniversary but Jerry did it on their 17th so his father could be included in the celebration as the Best man. Jerry planned the BBQ, the vows, the invitations and more! It was his way of showing his love for Sharon.
Jerry had painted the living area and then decided that he wanted to decorate one of the walls himself. He put a picture of Jesus in the center of the arrangement and said, “It’s time we put Christ in the center of our home!” On the wall were pictures of his wife and children surrounding that picture. Jerry saw and met with God in the nature that he so enjoyed. He understood the delicate balance of the land and the water. Sharon told me that Jerry knew the Lord and that his actions spoke even louder than his words.
His final days were not spent on himself but his family. He continued to set goals for himself. One goal was to be there for a granddaughter’s birthday party and to be there for the annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Forced to evacuate during the fires around Estacada, Katherine’s family came to “camp out” at grandma & grandpa’s house. It was a blessing in disguise as they would not have missed out on it for the world.
Jerry will be greatly missed by his many friends and his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Kristina Marie. He is survived by: His wife, Sharon Stanley of Gresham, Daughter, Katherine and her husband, Curran Down of Estacada, four grandchildren; Alexandria Stanley of Estacada, Elizabeth, Victorianna and Kristilynn Down all of Estacada, and two brothers; Kenny Stanley of Portland and Rick Stanley of Alabama
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