It is with great sadness that the family of Jerry Arthur Stebbins announces his passing. He died on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at the age of 87 following a brief illness.
Jerry was born November 1, 1930, in Rapid City, South Dakota. His father’s job required the family to move frequently. He and his older brother Darrel spent most of their school years in Spokane, Washington. Jerry served in the Air Force during the Korean War and graduated from Gonzaga University in 1958 with a degree in electrical engineering.
Jerry went to work for Boeing where he spent the next 35 years as an engineer and in Engineering Management. He accepted many different positions within Boeing, and his work took him from Florida to California, Maine to Washington, and finally to Decatur in 1985. He was instrumental in Boeing’s missile and space programs. After retiring in 1993, Jerry was free to pursue many of his other interests.
Jerry had been involved in flying and building model airplanes for much of his life, and he became active in the Decatur Model Airplance Club. He started and ran a successful model airplane kit business (RCME) for years marketing a model of his own design.
He enjoyed playing golf when time allowed, and he built golf clubs. In addition to his talent for engineering and building things, Jerry was generous, funny and loved animals. Throughout the years he was surrounded by cats, horses, dogs and other “critters.” He and his wife Pat raised Thoroughbred race horses for 18 years. Seldom could he sit down without a cat on his lap.
Jerry will be sadly missed by his wife of 46 years, Pat, and his two sons, Ken (Lisa) of Medford, Oregon and Jim (Megan) of Manson, Washington. He will also be fondly remembered by his two grandchildren, Gerad and Jennifer, four great-grandchildren, and two nephews, Tim and Scott.
The memorial service for Jerry Stebbins will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, December 4th at Austinville United Methodist Church with Pastor Jeff Sellers officiating.
