Gerald O. Demery

“From the desk of G.O.D.” quipped a printed notepad on the desk of IBMer Jerry Demery. Gerald Oliver Demery, or “Jerry” as everyone called him, was full of life and love, and never shied away from using his initials to get things done. Jerry was the consummate planner, giving attention to every detail in business, family and life in general. Born January 11, 1937 in New Jersey, he grew up in NJ and Maine where as a young boy he formed his dedicated work ethic in his job of pulling lobsters from pots in Booth Bay Harbor. Jerry was a hard worker, starting in the mail room at IBM in New York City and working his way up the corporation to Management for Special Activities and Events. He worked in the IBM offices of New York, New Jersey and Atlanta, retiring in the mid-1980’s. Jerry then founded Jerry Demery & Associates where he consulted in the meeting planning and events industry, as well as worked with his wife Carol Cote-Demery in her company, Meeting Consultants, Inc. Jerry’s expertise in management led him to serve in organizations such as Dunwoody Country Club (President of Senior Golf Team), and Georgia Chapter of Meeting Planners International (President). Jerry loved his family with the same attention to detail. He and his wife Carol enjoyed 31 years of marriage, pouring themselves into their growing family of married children and grandchildren. Whether it was golfing with grandsons Drew and Alex at Dunwoody Country Club, captaining the boat at their Lake Burton home, enjoying the beach at their St. George Island, FL home, or planning trips to Ireland, Jerry laughed and loved and brought joy to his family with his incredibly giving heart. He was loved beyond measure and lit up the lives of all he met with his big smile. And he always looked forward to lunch at his standing table at Brooklyn Café. Jerry passed on December 2, 2013 after a four-year battle with MDS. He is survived by his wife Carol Cote-Demery, sister Cindy Davis (husband Butch), sister Connie Laventhal (husband Neal) and children Lizbeth Cote (husband Randy Krafft), Chris Cote (wife Cindy, son Drew), Casey Cote (wife Jenny, son Alex), Ron Demery (daughter Cami), and Maryann Waddell (husband Neal, son John). Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 pm on Friday, December 6 at H. M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, NE, in Sandy Springs. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, December 7 at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, Sandy Springs, GA. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the MDS Foundation (www.mds-foundation.org). A memo “From the desk of GOD” said it was time for Jerry to go home. He will be greatly missed here. And heaven will be greatly organized with him there.