All who knew Gerald “Jerry” Ramsey would agree that he was larger than life. He was hardworking and driven to succeed, yet he also took the time to enjoy life along the way. Although Jerry accomplished so much of which to be proud, there was no greater gift in his life than his family that grew to include numerous branches of loved ones whom he adored. It was no secret that he was married to the love of his life, and together they experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer. Compassionate, accepting, and generous beyond measure, Jerry was forever looking for ways he could bless those around him in ways both great and small. Life will never be the same without him here, but his timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow in his footsteps.

The 1930’s were some of the most trying days we have faced as a nation and the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs became hard to find, which drove the unemployment rate to over 25 percent leaving families to do whatever they could to make ends meet. Despite the hardship around them, Everett and Blanche Ramsey were pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Gerald E. on Nov. 18, 1938, in Los Angeles, California. He was one of four children in his family and was raised alongside his brothers, Edward and James. Their family moved around a bit depending on where his father could find work as they spent some time living on a goat farm in Idaho after moving from Michigan to California. It was Jerry’s uncle who told Jerry’s father of all the jobs that were available back in Detroit, Mich., so they had relocated to the area by the time he was five. His parents divorced, but his mother met Don Akright, a widower who had children of his own, Leon,  Carolyn and Donna. They were later married, and the family grew.

In Michigan, Jerry grew up on the 50 acre family farm where Jerry had his fair share of farm chores. Although he and his siblings worked hard, they also played hard as he enjoyed playing ball, fished in the river, swimming, snow sledding in the winter, and playing cards with his family. Tragedy struck the Ramsey family when Jerry’s brother, Jimmy, was killed after being hit by a car as they walked home from school.

Life was again forever changed for Jerry when he met the young woman of his dreams when he was just 16. Her name was Arveta E. Ferren, and they met at a Halloween party. They began going to roller rinks and to the movies, but they were soon forced to correspond via letter as Jerry joined the Navy. Their love deepened, and with a desire to establish a life together they were married on Feb. 17, 1958, when he was 19 while she was just 15. Soon after marrying, they started their family. After being honorably discharged in 1959, Jerry had trouble finding work so he ultimately ended up back in the military – this time in the Army. Jerry also worked on earning his GED during his military time.

Once discharged from the Army in 1963, Jerry began working as a butcher at a local Kroger Grocery Store. His positive attitude and strong work ethic made it easy for him to advance at Kroger. The family, which included their two daughters, Deborah and Rhonda, and son, David, left Comstock Park, Mich., and moved down to Columbia City, in 1972 when Jerry took a position as a supervisor over the deli departments of the Northeast Indiana area stores. He eventually became a store manager in Warsaw and Ft. Wayne before managing the Columbia City store from 1983 to 1994. Jerry worked, and he worked hard as he never missed a day off, even if he wasn’t feeling his best. When it came to his vacation, however, he was on vacation time as soon as he stepped out the sliding doors of the store. The family was loaded and ready to head out as soon as he got home. Jerry always knew all the little details of every place they were headed, and they stopped at all the tourist roadside attractions while en route.

Jerry was a jokester! He had a great sense of humor and loved to entertain people and just be silly.  His personality really was larger than life!  As the family would be driving through the small towns on their family vacation, he would holler at the window of the car to people sitting on their porch, telling them he was the popular Glen Campbell. He had a very similar voice and he just wanted to give the people something to talk about and bring excitement to their lives that Glen Campbell drove through their town.

Jerry and his family also frequently camped – first in a tent, later in a camper, and finally in an RV as he and his wife got older. One of the last tent camping trips was a three week adventure with their youngest daughter Rhonda. They drove out west through Montana to Idaho and Washington, down the west coast and back home, camping almost every night in that tent. Jerry and Arveta made it to all 50 states including a three month adventurous trip in Alaska. Wherever there was adventure, Jerry was sure to find it, whether it be four-wheeling the Rocky Mountains, to taking his truck on the sand dunes.  Another highlighted trip he had was going with a church group to Israel.

With a true servant’s heart, Jerry loved to volunteer and help out any community he was in.  He was a proud blood donor to the American Red Cross and would even set up a hot dog stand in front of his grocery store to help raise money for a charity in need. He was full of cleshaies and offered two hotdogs and a drink for a dollar, adding about the deal “You couldn’t beat that with a stick”.  He was full of sayings that his family will never forget like “Don’t quit a job till you have a job” or “It will stop hurting once the pain goes away”.

After Jerry retired from Kroger, he and his wife started doing mission work. What started out as a two week trip to a Navajo reservation in New Mexico ended up being a two year stay. During that time he ended up becoming a licensed pastor and helped teach the Navajos through the Church of God. Jerry had been a Christian since he was in his fifties, and he was excited to answer this call from God at that point in his life.

Although Jerry loved being a father, he just may have argued that nothing was better than becoming Grandpa Jerry and Opa later in life. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever he could, often having a grand adventure together, and in his eyes they could do no wrong. He loved having them come along on his vacations and being able to swim, ice skate and go boating. They will miss getting a pieces of pepperoni cut off of the stick and his air popped, popcorn from him.   Christmas time was another special event for Jerry and the grandchildren, as he enjoyed spoiling them, but Opa could never be found when Santa came to visit them.

Being a handy man, Jerry was there to help his family or friends with any kind of project at the drop of a hat. Besides being with his family, he enjoyed reading, geography, history, gardening, singing and dancing. He was a member and Elder at Eagle Quest United Brethren in Christ, American Legion, VFW and the Gideon’s.

A jokester, an adventurer, and a man of faith, Gerald Ramsey was a blessing to everyone he met. He loved simply entertaining people wherever he went, and his zest for life was contagious. Jerry had a twinkle in his eye, gave the best hugs, and offered unconditional love and acceptance to all who were near. There was no greater gift in his life than his family, and they will cherish his memory for generations to come. Even though Alzheimer’s took over the last eight years of Jerry’s life, his happy and loving personality only grew larger.

Gerald E. Ramsey, Columbia City, died June 16, 2015.

Jerry’s family includes his wife: Arveta Ramsey; children: David Ramsey; Deborah (Todd0 Deutsch; and Rhonda (Brian) Knepple, all of Columbia City; stepmother: Mary Ramsey, Columbia City; brother: Leon Akright, Millersburg, Fla.; sisters: Carolyn (Bob) Schneider, Benton Harbor, Mich; Donna (Frank) Steinhauer, Bridgeton, Mich; grandchildren: Heather (Kyle) Pletcher; Holly (Matt) Chenoweth; Jessica Knepple; and Michael Knepple; and seven great-grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Edward “Louie” and James “Jimmy” Ramsey; and stepfather: Donald Akright.

Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home, with Pastor Tim Scroggs officiating, and military honors being rendered by the Whitley County Korean Veteran’s Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Eagle Quest Missionary Church.