An ode to Jerry Lebowitz.
August 18, 2015
Part Two: 
6.  U. S. Army General Order #D8-940, dated 12 August 1960 - his Army separation order and an “Honorable Discharge.”

7.  “Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.”
A final quote of Lt Gen Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (CSA), after being wounded during the battle of Chancellorsville (VA), Sunday May 10th, 1863.  

Jerry crossed his last river on January 15, 2013 and now rests in the arms of Jesus.

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Amen.

Charles D. (Chuck) Sanders, Captain  
U. S. Air Force (Retired) 

Note:  I’m not sure you can call this an ode to Jerry.  You know, he was highly thought of and respected by our little congregation and was a great friend and Christian Brother.   


A little history about Jerry and his sacrifice for our country as a soldier.
Part One
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Notes and Observations on the life and times of Jerry Lebowitz

1.	Jerry was like a brother to me.  He was born on December 19, 1933; 10 years older than me.  

2.	Sacrifice for his country:  Jerry served in the Korean war, often referred to as “The forgotten war” or "The Unknown War" because of the lack of public attention it received both during and after the conflict.  Just as the war was termed the “forgotten war”, I would challenge you on a future visit to Washington D.C., to locate the Korean War memorial.   

Jerry served in a rifle company in the U. S. Army’s 24th Infantry Division in Korea for 10 months during his Army enlistment.  Following his discharge in 1955, “Corporal” Lebowitz served an additional five (5) years in the Army Reserve.   He was discharged in 1960 and returned to a normal life here in Montgomery.

3.  Jerry did not fight his battles alone – (We know and Jerry knew) “God is pleading our cause.”

PS 73: 25-26.  “Whom have I in heaven but You?  And earth has nothing I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

4.  “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  Phil 1:21.  As one writer said, “his earthly burdens have been laid aside.”  Jerry is now focusing entirely on his ‘new home’ and his relationship glorifying God.
5.  2 Timothy 4: 7  (for) “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  (Faith is equal to those truths and standards set down in God’s word).
Jerry’s race was a demanding – gruelling daily effort; hard to walk; if he fell he could not gain his feet on his own power.  He told me he had fallen on several occasions and required assistance from the paramedics to get back on his feet.  You know that old walker he used is now an old artifact.

I most appreciate and will miss the most, Jerry's caring nature.  He always put others first.  An old school trait much like his old school way of doing business that was so very genuine. The many memories of visiting Jerry on Lee Street, sharing his stories and opinions, will last forever.

Jerry was a wonderful man who was kind to everyone. I am so blessed to have had the opporunity to get to know him. He will be missed dearly.

Thoughts of Jerry still bring a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart. His unfailing kindness and love for God and others will never be forgotten. His gracious manner, giving spirit, friendly chuckle, broad smile, and caring heart will always be with me. My life and my family have been blessed with knowing Jerry. 

Ferrell, Emily, and Benjamin - please know that your brother and uncle was a man loved and appreciated by many. His work still stands as a testament to his standard of excellence. I'm sure he was met by Jesus with the words, "Well done, My good and faithful servant. Enter into your reward."

I will miss seeing Jerry each week, but I look forward to seeing him again in heaven. May God grant each of you the peace that Jerry knew.

We so enjoyed having Jerry in our Sunday School Class at Lakeview Baptist.  He was so intent in learning more about the Bible, asking great questions!  If we referred to a passage of the Old Testament, he would expound on it for us too.  He had a wonderful humor, a kind and gentle nature, and was a servant of God.  He knew no strangers and shared his time and talent with so many.  I too have a glass bluebird he had given me that I see everyday!  He also gave a dozen boxed bluebirds for me to give to a needed Senior Citizen that I worked with to brighten their day!  We will miss him so much at our church, but we know where he is, and he had a wonderful greeting committee of other men from our church, and of course, Jesus!  He loved The Lord! Love to his family!

Jerry was a real patriot who served his country in the U. S. Army's 24th Infantry Division - 1952-55.  He also served a combat tour overseas  during the Korean war - the "Forgotten War".  We will not forget him.

Jerry was a generous, kind man, and good friend. I always enjoyed visiting with him at the engraving shop and at church. He loved God and he loved others. He will be missed. God bless you Ferrell, Emily and Benjamin.

I, like many people have only fond memories of Mr. Lebowitz.  I met him 13 years ago when I went to his shop to place an order for a plaque.

The first time I met him in his shop, we took a "memory walk" in downtown Montgomery where I worked back in the 60's.  We recalled the businesses and employees, working in that area.

I, too, cherish my three glass blue birds that he gave me on various trips to his shop.  He frequently told me about his sister who was a doctor up north.

Only today did I see his obituary notice.  Otherwise, my husband and I would have certainly attended his funeral.

There will be many businesses and persons in this area who will gretly miss this true GENTLEMAN!
                  Marie Malinowski

It was an honor to call Jerry friend, I will miss stopping in to chat at the shop. He is a huge part of Downtown's history and I will never forget his kindness to everybody as well as the beautiful work he did.  RIP Jerry, his family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers today.
Kathy King
10th Fl, Bell Bldg.

A wonderful man who will be missed by so many. He had so many interesting and amazing stories to tell and I loved listening to them. Montgomery has lost a treasure.

I have known Jerry since we attending Starke Military School together. Not sure what year, but it was in the 1940's.
Everytime I visited him at his shop, he was always happy which made happy also.  He spoke of his sister in New York everytime I visited.  He was very proud of her.  He was a joy to be around, and I shall miss him.  I, his family and the City has lost a treasure.
PS:  I have one of his Blue Birds and it will be a reminder of him often.

My condolences to the Lebowitz family. I met Jerry more than thirty years ago. As alumni director at ASU, I had many occasions on which to present plaques and/or awards to alumni and friends of ASU. Jerry was always willing to perform miracles by taking rush orders for emergency engravings. He always had a special story to tell or an example to illustrate his skill and craftsmanship. He was a principled kind of fellow who enjoyed being of service to others. He will be missed.

I am so very heart broken. He was a wonderful man and I will miss him with all my heart. I loved him so much.

I have known Jerry since 1956 and have always enjoyed our conversations at his shop through the years. My sympathy to his family.

RIP Jerry M. Lebowitz.  I shall forever remember your sense of humor, your philanthropy and your sweet love for your mama who I hope you are visiting with in Heaven now.  I cherish our many talks throughout the past 13 years.  You were truly a Montgomery Icon.  Hard to believe that we will not be able to drop by your Engraving Shop and sit and talk and to always try to leave without you giving your shop away...lol.  I am sure there are hundreds of homes and businesses that have a glass blue bird displayed of which you gave to all who came to your office.  I am gonna miss you ole friend! My love to you Ferrell, Emily and Benjamin.

Mr. Lebowitz was a dear customer of mine over the years for The Montgomery Advertiser.  He had such a kind spirit and generous heart. Many co-workers admired the glass blue bird on my desk that he gave to me - just because.  I always told them that it reminds me of a dear friend that always put a smile on my face when he called.  I will miss you and our conversations.  Rest in Peace.  My deepest condolences to the family.

It was a pleasure to have met such a man with much wisdom.  I will truly miss him.

It was an honor to know Mr. Lebowitz.  He was a man with many words of wisdom.  I will truly miss him.

Jerry was a dear brother and friend for almost three decades. He loved and served others with compassion, respect, and is one of the last of the great craftsman who prided quality and service over profit. When we take time to truly know another person, we see the great value each brings to the human community. My life has been greatly enriched by knowing him. His is an example we all should emulte. My deepest sympathy to his beloved sister, Ferrell, and his niece, both of whom he adored and spoke of with such pride and fondness. "Greater love hath no man that this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Jerry did that every day in every way in his shop on Lee Street.

I met Mr. Lebowitz only a few months ago. I had thoughts of buying his business but he refused to sell it to me. We struck up a relationship that I will forever cherish. We've had a good number of conversations about him, his family and his business and the surrounding businesses. I will dearly miss him and his wonderful words of wisdom.

Wishing you comfort in your time of sadness, and hoping you know that even though there are no perfect words to ease the pain in your heart, there is caring in every thought of you. 
Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow. 
Remembering all of you in my prayers. Jerry was a fine man and a very good friend.

It was an honor to know Mr. Lebowitz and we are proud of him for his service to us and the country as a veteran. Our plaques will never be the same and we thank him for his many years of service helping honor those who have served with us.
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Montgomery Alabama Resident Agency

Jerry and I remained friends through the years after graduating from Lanier. I had quite a few pleasant visit with him at his shop through the years. I am saddened by his passing.

   Jerry was one of the most gracious men that I have ever met. Whenever I stopped by to see him to purchase a plaque, he always greeted me with a very warm and pleasant smile.   He was a very faithful viewer  of the Sunday morning worship services on WSFA-TV each Sunday. During the 23 1/2 years that I served as senior minister of First United Methodist Church of Montgomery, I never stopped by to see Jerry without his telling me more about my previous sermon and the whole worship service thanI had remembered myself.  
   Jerry knew the true meaning of encouragement---"to put heart into."
Across the years, he was a great encourager to me.  I give thanks to God for the significant difference that Jerry made in my life!

Dear family,

I was saddened to read of your Jerry's passing. I knew him from years ago when a number of us would eat together at the downtown Morrison's Cafeteria. I last saw him a few years ago when I had him engrave a silver tray. He was a dear soul. May happy memories help to comfort you during this difficult time.

OBITUARY

Jerry M Lebowitz

December 19, 1933 – January 15, 2013

Leak Memory Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services