Donald Jerome Heermans

Donald Jerome "Jerry" Heermans was born November 23, 1925, in Portland, Oregon, to Donald and Marjory Chezem Heermans.

Jerry served four tours of duty during World World II for the US Merchant Marine. He earned the Merchant Marine Emblem, Pacific War Zone Bar, Victory Medal, Honorable Service Button, and a Presidential Testimonial Letter. Jerry also served two tours of duty during the Korean War.

Jerry was a piano tuner by profession. He had numerous clients over the Portland area. He served as secretary of the Piano Technicians Guild for 11 years.

In 1958 Jerry married Mona Beletski. They had two children, John Michael "Mike" and Catherine Louise "Chris," and were married until Mona's death in July 2008.

In January 1965 the Oregon Blues Fife and Drum Corps was organized under Colonel Claude Butcher. This group later became the 1st Oregon Volunteer Infantry. Jerry was the Chief Musician, playing fife or drum as necessary. Jerry arranged all of the music for the 1st Oregon, working with professional field musicians from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The 1st Oregon marched in numerous parades over the next 25 years.

Jerry was a pianist in many top traditional jazz bands. In the early 1960s he had a regular gig in the Roaring 20's Room at the Hoyt Hotel with Monte Ballou and the Castle Jazz Band. Ed Zimbrick's 10th Avenue Jazz Band had regular gigs at Orleans Alley around 1970. Jerry played with John McKinley's Gas Lighters. In the mid-1970s Jerry had regular gigs with Don Kinch and The Conductors at Strutters Hall in downtown Portland. This group also put out an album. In the late 1990s, the 10th Avenue Jazz Band played a gig in Puerto Vallarta and put out an album, and performed on a Mediterranean cruise ship. For the last 20 years Jerry was performing regularly with the Puddin' River Jazz Band and Dr. Jazz and the Interns. On June 14, 2009, the Willamette Valley Jazz Society held King Jerry Heermans Day, honoring him for his lifetime contribution to traditional jazz music.

Jerry was an active member of several other organizations: Northwest Civil War Council (20th Maine); Northwest Steam Society (he wrote articles in their journal); American Legion Post #158; U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans Columbia-Willamette league and the American Merchant Marine Veterans, Oregon Chapter; Early Music Guild of Oregon; and Tualatin Riverkeepers.

Jerry spent the last month of his life in Tigard in the care of his granddaughter Amanda. On October 21, 2010, Jerry's work in this life was completed and he left us for a better place.

He leaves behind a sister Joni, a son Mike, a daughter Chris, a nephew Andrew, a granddaughter Amanda, a great grandson Tyler, a lot of friends, and a musical legacy.