Jerry Wendell Berger

Jerry was born in Ventura in a little house on Ramona Street on November 2, 1942, to William Woodrow and Vergie Mae Newby Berger. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1960 and attended Ventura College, and worked for a while before joining the Air Force in 1962.

Jerry went to boot camp at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas and after graduation, went to Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, Texas for Tech and Intelligence School. His first tour of duty was in Okinawa, Japan and after a year and a half, was sent to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. While stationed in the PI, he met and married Teodora “Tedi” Paculan.

After 5 years in the Air Force, Jerry came back home to Ventura, went to work at Port Hueneme for a year, and then applied for a journeyman position at Point Mugu. After working 34 years at Point Mugu as an Electronic Technician, working on various projects, he retired on his birthday in 2002. It was at Mugu that he met Lidia Solorzano, and even though she worked 10 more years before she could retire, they enjoyed their time together traveling. The Hawaiian Islands were their favorite vacation spot. They went to Cooperstown twice, once too many for her, but it made Jerry so happy, she went.

He was an avid golfer, and also enjoyed tending to his hundreds of beautiful orchids. Jerry was also a serious matchbook cover collector. But, his greatest hobby was watching his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers and collecting their memorabilia.

Jerry is survived by girlfriend of 17 years, Lidia, of Oxnard and their dog Chico; children, James William Berger of Ventura, and Debra Ann Berger of Oak Park; sister Roberta Berger Traylor and brother-in-law Hays Traylor of Vandenberg Village, CA; grandchildren, Joaquin, Gage, Valerie, and Robin Solorzano who came into his life through his relationship with Lidia; Aunt Cleva Berger of Ventura; and many devoted nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, William “Woody” Berger Jr; older sister Joyce Berger Eck; and his wife Tedi.

The family would like to thank Drs., Robert Warwar, Stephen Covington and Todd Yates for not only being great doctors but also caring men.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 1, 2016, from 9:00 am until 10:00 am, at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., in Ventura. The service will begin at 10:00 am, followed by graveside service and military honors at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Rd., Ventura, CA 93003.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com