Gerald Ward Bobier

Gerald Ward Bobier “Jerry”, passed away peacefully in West Palm Beach, Florida on May 6, 2024. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 5, 1938, the oldest son of Chester and Alma Bobier. His family moved to Tampa, Florida in his early childhood. Jerry graduated from H.B. Plant High School where he was a proud member of the varsity baseball team. After graduation, Jerry attended The University of Tampa (UT). He was a founding member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and served as Arcon (President) for 2 years. Jerry was a proud Spartan and stayed active with the Alumni Association for many years. He joined the Army reserves while at UT and served his country in that capacity for several years.

Jerry started his career in banking at Marine Bank in Downtown Tampa. He then moved to Freedom Federal Savings and Loan and helped grow the S&L into a prominent financial institution. While at these companies, Jerry acquired two Masters Degrees from the Graduate School of Banking at LSU and Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Eventually, Jerry decided to make a career change so that he could spend more time with his family. He ventured into residential real estate and finally commercial real estate. This career change afforded him added flexibility so that he could coach baseball at Tampa Bay Little League. He coached both of his sons and countless young men in the South Tampa area. Most of his teams seemed to win the league championship. He even took one of his All Star teams to the World Series. Those days of coaching baseball at Tampa Bay Little League were among the happiest times of his life. Jerry was a devoted father who loved being involved in all of his childrens’ activities.

Summers at the Happy Fiddler in Indian Rocks Beach, fourth of Julys in Boca Grande and annual family ski trips are among his family's cherished memories. He loved his grandchildren dearly and continued to play baseball and other games with them. HIs grandchildren fondly referred to him as Pop Pop.

Jerry truly loved and supported all of the professional sports teams in Tampa. He was a season ticket holder with The Tampa Bay Buccaneers since their inaugural season. He also held season tickets to the Tampa Bay Rays, Yankees spring training, and the Tampa Bay Bandits. To say Jerry loved sports is an understatement.

Jerry had an infectious laugh which will never be forgotten. He and his wife Gloria, who he met while at UT, loved spending time with family and friends at their home on Sheridan Forest Drive. The block parties, Halloween parties and multiple get togethers formed a special bond between the families that lived on this small unique dead end street in south Tampa. Gloria preceded Jerry in death in May of 2021.

Jerry is survived by his daughter Laura Smithy (Brad), his son Jay Bobier, his son Scott Bobier as well as his grandchildren Will and Anna Smithy, Jack Bobier and his niece Lauren Kovacs.

We know that this is just goodbye for now. Jerry’s solid Christian faith began as the child of a lay minister with the Methodist Church. This quiet faith sustained him in his final months at Colonial Skilled Nursing in West Palm Beach. The staff there was extremely kind and caring. They affectionately called him “Bobbie”.

Jerry’s ashes will be placed in West Palm Beach near his beloved grandson, Benjamin Ward Smithy (Ben), who tragically passed away on March 14, 2024 at the age of 23. The family will be holding a private memorial service for Jerry on August 3rd.