Salem- God called Jerry Bigler home on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at the age of 80.
Jerry was born in Mt. Angel, Oregon, on July 12, 1928, to John and Regina Bigler. He grew up in Woodburn/Mt. Angel area. He served in the Navy during World War II and in the Army during the Korean War. While in the Navy, he was one of the few people who saw the Spruce Goose attempting to take to the air.
Jerry met the love of his life, Mary Camenzind, in 1950. They were married on February 16, 1952.
In 1956 he began what would be his lifelong career at Skyline Ford in Salem, Oregon. He quickly worked his way up to management where his magnetic personality helped grow many boys into men. Jerry won many awards for his tremendous service. His awards included Superior Selling Performance, Marketing Expert Award, Top Hatter, the Time Magazine Ford 300-500 Club, and numerous others. Over the years, he rarely traveled anywhere that he didn’t see someone who knew and loved him. He worked at Skyline until he retired at the age of 80 in 2008. His career there spanned 56 years.
Jerry helped start one the very first SCUBA diving groups to emerge in the State of Oregon. He was one of two divers who spent Christmas in 1969 diving into flooded homes to retrieve people’s Christmas gifts. He was also a member of the YMCA most of his adult life, where he loved to play and teach handball. He loved hunting, fishing, RV camping, golfing, watching, and playing all types of sports.
His highest priorities were his loving wife, Mary, three daughters, Darla, DeAnn, and Dachel, eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and his Tibetan Terrier Vinny. Jerry and Mary celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary in February 2009. Everyone he met was touched by his warm heart, his robust personality and his beaming smile. He was truly one of the last best ones.
Please join us for a celebration of his life on Tuesday, May 26, from 11 AM to 1 PM at St. Vincent de Paul Church, off Sunnyview Ave NE in Salem, Oregon.
There will be a Memory Basket if you’d like to jot down a favorite memory of your time with Jerry for his family to read and share.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.
We love you Jerry- Husband – Father – Grandfather – Mentor – Friend. You are Forever Faithful.