Gerald Elliott Barry

Gerald Barry (Jerry) of Merced, California was born February 10, 1937. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas James Barry from Whales, England and Charllotte May Barry of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Jerry is survived by his wife Jean Barry, his two children Teesha Barry and Casandra Barry-Laumann, son-in-law Benjamin Laumann, grandsons Christopher Denney, Lucas Laumann and Ronan Laumann.

Jerry attended Clovis High School, Fresno City College and California State University of Fresno. He served in the AFROTC National Guard for nine years and received an Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sergeant in 1966. Jerry built and raced aircraft engine powered drag boats and held the National record for top speed at 164 mph for 12 years. Also, he loved flying his twin-engine Cessna airplane and refurbishing his 1970 corvette. Employed by the state of California as the Senior Tele-Communication Technician for over 44 years, he retired and became the Manager for Mobil Communications for 4 years. He was responsible for the Merced County Sheriff radio system at Pacheco Pass and the communication system for Mercy Hospital in Merced. He maintained a Commercial Radio Telephone License and Amateur Radio License since the age of 14 and later became one of the founding members of the Volunteer in Fire Prevention Radio system.

The funeral service will be February 4, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced, California. Reception to Follow.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Merced College Foundation on behalf of The Gerald Barry Scholarship.