Jerry Folz

John Gerald “Jerry” Folz, beloved husband, father of four (Terry Larsen, Diane Whitaker, Jack & Laura Walker (Tom), grandfather of 13 (Katie, Alan, Ryan, Steven, Jace, Davis, Ciara, Andrew, Dana, Jenna, Chad, Jeremiah & Crystin), 27 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at age 91.

Jerry was born on December 21, 1934 in West Virginia to John & Mildred Folz. He is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years – Phyllis, sister Sue Driscoll, brother Bob Folz, and grandson Ryan Whitaker.

In the early 1940’s Jerry and his family moved to downtown Phoenix where his father found work managing the Home Like Trailer Park. Jerry worked alongside his father and learned the value of hard work and living with intention. Traits that would define the rest of his life.

Jerry attended St. Francis Grade School, North High for 2 years and St. Mary’s for 2 years. In 1955 he married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Hargett whom he had met at a St. Francis Kino Club dance. From 1957 to 1959 he honorably served in the United States Navy. Together Phyllis & Jerry created a loving & faithful life, filled with family, hard work, and fun. They hosted countless Sunday dinners, Easter egg hunts, barbecues, Thanksgiving dinners, and Christmas Day celebrations for our big family. And oh what fun we had! Thank you Mom & Dad (MiMi & Papa).

Jerry’s lifelong career was in the office furniture business. He began at Walsh Bros. working as a repairman, deliveryman, salesman & management for 20 years. In the 70’s he started up Arizona Discount Desk Company and in 1999 he opened Jerry’s Office Furniture along with his business associate Wayne Holtson. For 24 years they furnished hundreds of offices statewide. In 2023 Jerry’s Office Furniture ownership transitioned from Jerry to Wayne as promised. At age 89 Jerry continued to work every day from 7:00 to 2:00 contributing his wealth of knowledge and sound advice. His employees will always miss his quick wit, the sparkle in his aged eyes and his blessed assuredness.

Outside of work and over the years Jerry found joy in fishing, hunting, ASU football games, Crystal Pier vacations, horseshoes, and spending time with friends & family at his small Forest Lakes cabin. He was a parishioner at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel for 65 years where his faith was the center of his life.

Jerry is remembered as a generous, faithful and good-hearted man, always ready with a smile, willing to help anyone in need, living with intention and praying for others to know God.

Well done Dad! Well done! You are sooo loved and sooo missed by sooo many! Holy Mackerel!!!

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at Arizona Community Church, 9325 S. Rural Rd., in Tempe, AZ. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. and Celebration of Life at 10:00 a.m. Luncheon reception to immediately follow at The Outback Restaurant, 1734 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282. In lieu of flowers please donate to St. Mary’s Food Bank.