Age 86, Jerry passed away peacefully in his Phoenix home, surrounded by his family, on September 21, 2021. Born on December 20, 1934 in Detroit, MI to Joseph Riley and Marie Carolyn, Jerry moved with his family to Phoenix when he was 6 years old. Jerry had 6 brothers, and 3 sisters. Two of his sisters were IHM Catholic nuns. Jerry had way too many nieces and nephews to count!!! They all thought they were his favorite.
Jerry attended St. Mary’s and Immaculate Heart Catholic grade schools, and St. Mary’s Catholic High School, where he met his future wife of 60 years, Judy. Jerry attended Arizona State University and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Business.
Jerry had 4 children: Tim, Gina (Fred), Brian (Robin) and Danny (Cindi), 6 grandchildren (Alicia, Bryton, Brennan, Sean, Christopher and Kennasey, and 3 great-grandchildren (Trent, Mason and Jayce). He fiercely loved each of them, as they were his greatest treasures.
Jerry worked as a salesman for many years in the metals aerospace industry. Throughout his career, he met so many people, most eventually becoming good friends with him. Jerry was passionate about ASU football and was a season ticket holder for about 40 years. In Jerry’s younger years, he spent time hunting and camping with his sons. He coached little league baseball and demanded good sportsmanship from his players. They knew how to win, but they also knew how to lose.
Jerry never met a stranger, he loved to help people, and to advise people. He owned rental properties, and typically his tenants were more than that to him, they were his friends. He took friends of his own kids under his wing, some called him dad.
Jerry had an indescribable love for animals, but mostly for German Shepherds. If you had a German Shepherd, Jerry was your friend.
Jerry was preceded in death by all but one of his brothers, his wife Judy and his son, Danny. He is survived by his brother Dick (Karen), sons Tim and Brian, his favorite one and only daughter, Gina, and all his grandchildren. We all miss him so much already, but he is with his Judy and the Lord, and is without pain. We love you!!!
Visitation will be Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 4:00 P.M. with a Rosary at 5:00 P.M. with eulogies to follow at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 9:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix. Burial will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to either of the following: Phoenix Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 6708, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6708; St. Mary’s Food Bank, Development Office, 2831 N. 31st Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009-1518. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Carbajals
You and your family are in our hearts and mind. May our condolences bring you comfort and may our prayers ease the pain for the loss of your father, Jerry.
You and your family are in our hearts and at this difficult time. May our condolences bring you comfort and may our prayers ease the pain on the loss of your Beloved Father, Jerry.
We are thinking of your parents who will always be in our thoughts, as good friends and Judy’s God-Parents.
Peace be with you,
Love the Carbajal and Bass Family
Gina Sanchez
I’ll miss you forever, Dad!! ♥️♥️
Kelly Barnett
I will miss Jerry. He was a kind and thoughtful gentleman. i will miss his hugs.
John and Tracy Green
We send our most sincere condolences and love to you all for the loss of Jerry- such a kind, funny and helpful man- we loved him so! Love from the Greens ( John and Tracy)
Sally (Mayrene) Reichardt
My sister, Amyda, was very close to Jerry. We both drove up to Phx. to see him twice in the past few years. Jerry was not only a very good friend of my sister but also our parents. He NEVER came to Tucson without going out to dinner with them. Not to forget Jerry always had to have a big bowl of ice cream. Jerry was one of the nicest people I’ve ever known. And that smile! He will be greatly missed. My sympathy to his entire family.