Gerald James Fullman

Jerry was born Dec. 8, 1927, to Harvey Fullman and Ethel (Salter) Fullman in Portland. Jerry, the second of three sons, was raised in Southeast Portland. He attended Kellogg Grade School and Benson and Franklin high schools. During high school, he worked at Photo Art Commercial Studios with well-known photographers Ray Atkeson and Ted Gable.

During his high school years, Jerry enrolled at the Art Center School of Photography in Los Angeles, planning to pursue a career as a photographer. He soon realized he needed to finish high school and returned to Portland to finish his high school years at Franklin High School.

The Fullman family were avid skiers and mountain climbers. Jerry, his parents, and brothers joined the Mount Hood Ski Patrol, and the family had a cabin at Government Camp. Jerry became eligible to join the Mazamas, a mountaineering club, when he summited Mount Hood at age 12. He climbed Hood multiple times. He also summited Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams, and North and Middle Sisters.

In December 1945, Jerry enlisted in the Navy, training in San Diego to be a heavy equipment operator. He was sent to Guam as a member of the 103rd Sea Bee Battalion. There, he applied for the position of company photographer. He returned to Portland in December 1947 and resumed his passion for skiing and his work with the Mount Hood Ski Patrol (Badge #13).

Jerry attended Lewis & Clark College on the G.I. Bill and raced for the college ski team. He was a member of the Schnee Voglie Ski Club and served as its sixth president. Majoring in history and political science, Jerry graduated in 1951. While at Lewis & Clark, Jerry met Leslie Clerin. They married in 1952 and had two children, Jeff and Dana. Leslie died of leukemia in 1957.

In 1958, he married Edna Blackburn Lacey. They were married for 59 years at the time of Edna’s death in 2017. Together, they raised Jeff and Dana and enjoyed time in their Portland home near Gabriel Park and at the family’s Government Camp cabin.

Jerry worked for Pacific Northwest Bell but left the company in1961 and joined the family firm, Fullman Plumbing Company, which had been founded in Denver by Jerry’s grandfather, Charles. Under Jerry’s leadership, the firm expanded into both a plumbing and mechanical contracting company.

As head of the company, Jerry served as a representative to the Oregon Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC). Fullman Company was named contractor of the year by the Oregon Building Congress (1981) and by PHCC (1986). Jerry also served on the Plumbers and Steamfitters Health and Welfare and Pension Trust for many years.Under Jerry’s leadership, Fullman Company operated offices in Portland, Phoenix, Colorado Springs, and Seattle. They had offices in Israel, Korea, India, Thailand, and Ireland before the company was sold.

Edna and Jerry traveled throughout their marriage. Among other destinations, they visited China, Australia, Egypt, and Spain. After retiring, Jerry took a trip around the world to see such destinations as Bhutan, India, and Easter Island.

Jerry was a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club, the Waverly Club, and the Arlington Club. He belonged to the Associated Industries of Oregon and was once named the group’s business leader of the year.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Order of Scottish Rite, and Al Kadar Shrine. He served on the board of governors of the Portland Shriner’s Hospital and was chairman in 1993. He was a Royal Rosarian, serving as chairman of the Rose Festival Parade Committee for seven years.

For decades, he enjoyed skiing with his family, tennis, and golf. He continued to ski into his 70s and was able to hit the slopes with his young grandsons.

The Oregon Coast was a special place for Jerry and Edna. For many years, they had a cabin at Tierra del Mar. In the early 1990s, they built a home at Roads End. The house became a getaway where Jerry and Edna spent as much time as possible. They also enjoyed time at their Sunriver home.

Jerry loved a good book, a sweet ear of corn, a glass of Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc, and his Charbonneau home on the Willamette River, where he was able to stay until his death. Most of all, he loved his family.

He is survived by son Jeffrey Fullman (Anne Voegtlin) of Sherwood; daughter Dana Manning of Tigard; brother Carl Fullman (Marianne) of Portland, and grandsons Christopher Fullman (Diana Cellini) of Oceanside, CA, and Michael Fullman (Meagan Alderson) of Los Angeles. He was predeceased by his brother Russell and by his two wives.

The family thanks Legacy Hospice for its kind care in Jerry’s final weeks. Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.