Gerald Edward Askew

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Gerald (Jerry) Edward Askew, age 86, born July 12, 1939, in Aberdeen, Washington. He passed on July 12, 2025, to join his parents Benjamin and Ruth Askew, sister Annette Santwan, and wife Carol Askew.

Jerry is survived by his sisters Nancy Wentzel and Susan Millikan, children Laura Brantner, Steve Askew, Thomas Askew, and stepsons Dana Chaffin and Scott Chaffin, grandchildren Jason, Melissa, Summer, India, Ivy, Makayla, Hanna, Tanner, Neil, Erika, Lisa and great grandchildren Daxton, Autumn, Parker, Peyton, and Andi.

Jerry spent most of his life in Redmond, WA, graduating from Redmond High School. He married Jean Wright in 1964 and made their home in Snohomish, WA, where they had their two children, Laura and Steve. After their divorce, Jerry, residing in Redmond, WA, married Carol in 1979, gaining two stepsons, Dana and Scott. Jerry and Carol’s son, Thomas, was born in 1981.

Jerry was an auto mechanic by trade, always kind and accommodating to his customers. He started his career with his father at the Redmond Blacksmith Shop in downtown Redmond. Later, he started a shop named the Merry Widow auto repair. After its closure, Jerry opened Askew’s Auto Repair on his father’s property, which lasted for years.

In the early 1990s, he semi-retired and worked with his wife Carol in their home childcare business for about twenty years until Carol’s passing in 2012. Their love and support for the innumerable children and families was evidenced by the smiles and laughter filling the house, and the long-lasting connections.

He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, going for drives in the mountains, road trips in general, working with antique cars, and playing cards with friends. His favorite hobby later in life was woodworking, creating unique toys and gifts for his loved ones. Jerry was a Seattle sports fan through and through, and he loved watching his children and grandchildren play baseball, softball, wrestling, and football; he was always their biggest fan.