Gerald Lee Baglin

Gerald “Jerry” Baglin entered into eternal life on July 29, 2023. It was a peaceful early morning with birds joyously chirping all around. Jerry was a devoted husband, cherished father, loving grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. Jerry’s life was marked by love, compassion and genuine kindness, leaving an indelible mark on those who knew him.

Jerry was born in Los Angeles, California on April 29, 1939, and was the second of two children to Hilton George and Bonnie Bernice Baglin. As a young child, he and his brother George were sent to live with an aunt in Maryland on a farm during the war years while his mother worked, later calling them back to Santa Monica, California. During his childhood, both he and his brother contracted the polio disease, leaving his brother paralyzed from the waist down but sparing Jerry the same fate. At age 17, his mother signed papers to allow him to enter the United States Air Force. He served honorably during peace time between the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Jerry was no doubt a proud American.

It was during this period in life while stationed in London, England that would eventually lead him to meet the love of his life, Marie Kyriacou. He would tell family stories of not having enough money to leave the military base, often hitchhiking his way to London to see Marie. Their story was not unlike the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, where Jerry had to gain the acceptance of Marie’s family. Once Yiayia (Greek for grandmother) approved, he could do no wrong. They eventually fell in love and were married on April 18, 1959. They moved to Riverside, California where he was stationed at March Air Force Base, later settling in Costa Mesa, California and then in 1973, finally settling into his forever home in Mission Viejo, California. Jerry and Marie were married 57 wonderful years until Marie’s passing in 2017.

Jerry held a variety of jobs to make ends meet before he was accepted in the electrical apprentice trade. He worked his way up to journeyman electrician, retiring with the same company he started with, Morrow Meadows. He was very proud of his work, often pointing out the various jobs in South Orange County that he worked on. His electrical prowess could also be seen at the annual Greek Festival in Anaheim where he organized the electricity to run power to the festival booths.

Jerry was a faithful man, converting to the Greek Orthodox religion, taking the baptismal name John. It was believed that Jerry’s eventual conversion came as a result of helping to pour the concrete of the holy altar, when Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox church in Anaheim was under construction. He and his two brothers came to religion, each in their own way. His brother George became a Lutheran pastor, later in life, at the age of 54. His brother John, a member of the Methodist church, was a conductor for Handel’s Messiah, where some of St. John’s own choir members performed.

Jerry was one of the founding members of St. John’s. He was active in the Parish Council, a GOYA Advisor, a Sunday School teacher and Chairperson of both the Orange International Street Fair and Greek Festival. Blessed by his jovial face, he was also the honorary Santa Claus for many years after the annual Sunday School Christmas program.

Jerry had a love for nature, including hiking the Grand Canyon, fishing, and bird watching in the backyard garden that he absolutely adored. He coached and watched his children play sports and was a passionate sports fan of the Rams and the Angels. He restored classic Volkswagens and collected old western antiques and memorabilia. He loved the latest gadgets and was technologically savvy for his age.

As we bid farewell to a remarkable man, we find solace in the cherished memories and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. His memory will forever live on through the countless lives he touched and the profound influence he had on those around him. In the final months, weeks and days of his declining health, when asked how he was doing, he would say, “I am in the best condition for the condition I am in,” followed by a thumbs up. He was truly a fighter until the end. May God grant him rest among the saints.

Jerry was preceded in death by his mother and father, his loving wife Marie Baglin and his brothers George Baglin and John Lamkin. He is survived by his children, Sherri (Doug) Brown, Jason (Christina) Baglin and Jodie (Chris) Fragiskatos, his grandchildren Chris (Kelly) Brown, Matthew Brown, Nicholas Fragiskatos and Maria Baglin, and his great grandson, Niko Brown. His love for his family and friends will never be forgotten.

The Trisagion (viewing) will be held Monday, August 7, 2023 at 7:30 pm and the funeral on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 10:00 am. Both services will be held at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church located at 405 North Dale Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801.

Interment and burial will immediately follow the funeral service at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Following the interment, the Makaria (remembrance meal) will be held at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim to commemorate Jerry’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

In memory of Gerald Baglin

405 North Dale Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801