Jerry Labarbera

Gerald “Jerry” LaBarbera, 65, passed away at home on Saturday, February 7, 2015 from natural heart related causes. Jerry was well known in the golfing community. He was an avid golfer and played on his Terry Parker high school team, earning a full scholarship to South Georgia and Austin Peay. In his earlier years, Jerry won the Mayport Club Championship, winning the use of a car for a month, and Hidden Hills Championships. For years Jerry was a leading player at Selva Marina and overall enjoyed many successes in golf. One of his recent great achievements was winning the Queens Harbour Men’s Club Champion in 2013. Jerry laughingly maintained a pro shop in the back of his Tahoe.

Fortunately, Jerry recently completed his own personal “grand slam of golf’s major championships” – attending the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Masters, the Players and even the Open Championship at his beloved Old Course at St. Andrews. Jerry got to play a round at the Old Course and shot 74 from the tips.

One of the great objects of Jerry’s passion was his unrelenting love of the Florida Gators. He attended football and basketball games, watched them on television, and even followed recruiting reports of potential Gator stars. He so loved to attend Gator – FSU and Florida – Georgia games with dear friends from both sides.

Jerry attended Q School and gave his best shot trying to earn his tour card, which earned eternal admiration from his golfing buddies. He very much would have loved to earn his living playing golf. Instead, he found another knack at computers and had been a self-employed Computer Consultant for the last 20+ years.

Jerry and his wife, Tonya, enjoyed many years boating and visiting their favorite vacation spot, Key West. Jerry loved trailering the boat to Key West were he attempted to fish. One of the most mentionable boating trips were to the Bahamas in 2009.

They made many wonderful boating, golfing and church friends, and memories who will forever be a part of their lives. Jerry so loved the St. Matthews Lutheran Church – he and Tonya were married there, they both served in leadership roles at St. Matthews including Jerry’s multi-year stint on the church council.

Jerry is survived by his daughter, Kristen, and sons, Kurt and Kip; his wife, Tonya, and her two daughters, Tamara and Jacqueline; and his brother, Marty and his family: wife, Lela, and children, Adam, Jason, Reece, and Lindsay.