Jerome (Jerry) Michael Roos, 81, of Bellevue, WA, passed away Friday, June 22nd surrounded by loved ones. He filled his life with family, simple joys and world travels. Those who knew Jerry would describe him as caring, honest, clever, full of humor, eternally sincere and endearing.
He cherished his wife Patricia of 62 years and their 4 children, Jerry, Sally, Daniel and Susan. Above all else, Jerry valued his family. Over the years Jerry led the family on many adventures, road-tripping across the states, camping and fishing. He embodied the phrase “Jerry-rigged”, because he thoroughly enjoyed and regularly worked on the house and all of the family cars. He enjoyed spending his retirement years with his children, 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Jerry was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 17th, 1937 to Emil Roos and Margaret Cahill. Jerry loved that he was born on St. Patrick’s Day and the family always made a point of incorporating an Irish theme into Jerry’s birthday celebrations.
Jerry graduated from Lake View High School in 1954 and began working as a lineman for Illinois Bell Telephone. He married Patricia Casey on April 14, 1955. He served in the US Navy from 1956 to 1958 on-board the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Proud of his military service and fond of his experience, it was rare to see Jerry without his USS Franklin D. Roosevelt cap.
Following his return from military service, Jerry continued working for Illinois Bell Telephone until 1967. Jerry then joined IBM while attending Loyola University to complete a bachelor’s degree in business in 1970. Providing a better life for his children was essential to Jerry. In striving to do so he and Patricia moved the family several times, living in Bellevue, Boise, Sacramento and then back to Bellevue.
In 1987 Jerry traveled to Beijing, China to work in the IBM office there for 2 years. He considered his time in China the highlight of his career. Immersing himself into the Chinese culture, he enjoyed visiting the open markets and taking in the sights.
Upon his return to Bellevue in 1989, Jerry worked at the Issaquah office until retiring from IBM in 1994. Following this, Jerry studied to become a Graduate Gemologist specializing in diamonds and worked in the jewelry industry. Eager to return to China, in 1997 Jerry took a job with Koll Management in Shanghai as the General Manager of the China Merchant Tower and later transferred to Beijing, managing the towers of Beijing Onward Science and Trade Center.
After 3 years in China, Jerry retired from Koll Management and returned to Bellevue in 2000. He filled his time with his children and grandchildren, reading, going to the gym and living a simple life. He particularly enjoyed taking his grandchildren boating and fishing on Lake Washington. Jerry and Patricia continued to travel, taking various cruises and visiting family.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Patricia, his 2 sons, Jerry and Daniel, his 2 daughters, Sally and Susan, 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his 4 siblings, Jack, Margie, Patsy and Richard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Jerry’s name to the Coal Creek Family YMCA in Newcastle.
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