Jerry was born on February 23, 1943, in Newhall, California, to Arthur and Ramona Merwin. From 1955 to 1961, he lived at the Vetter Mountain Fire Lookout Tower with his mother and sister, Joyce. It was there that he started working for the U.S. Forest Service, which he was extremely proud of. He later built a long career with the IRS, and in his free time he volunteered as an ambulance driver for the Sequoia Safety Council in Reedley, California.
After retiring from the IRS, Jerry became the security manager at St. Paul Place in Dallas. His bright, colorful Christmas ties were so well known for spreading holiday cheer that D Magazine featured him. When he fully retired, he still wasn't ready to slow down. He became a crossing guard for Richardson ISD and loved seeing the kids and families every morning and afternoon. He also volunteered with the Richardson Police Department's Crime Patrol.
Jerry could be gruffly authoritative, but he was calm, generous, funny, and easy to love. He loved to talk, and he never ran short of stories to tell. A devoted fisherman, he was happiest with family close by, whether in Gunnison, Colorado, at the lake in Minnesota with his son Bob and Bob's family, or visiting his family in California.
Jerry is survived by Bobbie, his wife of 40 years; his children, Chad, Cara, Bob, Karen, Lee, and Mike; and his grandchildren, Emily, Nico, Leighton, Anna, and Emma.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ramona Merwin, and his beloved sister, Joyce.
