Gerald J. Bomers

Gerald Bomers was a man who devoted his life to serving others, protecting others, and loving others. He proudly, devoutly served his community, his country, his family, and his Lord, with his energy, effort and enthusiasm. Jerry was a devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, but more than anything, he was a man who made the world a better place wherever he went. Jerry's story began on a warm June day in 1927, a time of such prosperity and hope in this country, before the black cloud of the Great Depression affected so many lives. Yet in the Roaring Twenties heyday of 1927, life was good, and for many there was much to celebrate, especially to the Bomers family of Muskegon, Michigan. On June 5, 1927, a sunny summer Sunday, Dick and Fannie (Pothoff) Bomers celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Gerald. Jerry joined his two older sisters, Frances and Elizabeth, in the family, which was full-blooded Dutch and quite proud of their heritage. Jerry's father was the Postmaster General for the Muskegon Post Office, while his mother was a homemaker. Sadly, when Jerry was just 13, his mother died suddenly. Eventually his father remarried to a wonderful woman named Ann Vos Bronkest, who became mom to him and his sisters. Jerry led a typically active childhood, and always enjoyed animals, especially horses. He owned his own horse as a teenager, and boarded it "down the street" on Oak Avenue, just a short distance from the family home on Orchard Avenue. As a young boy he also enjoyed ice skating at the Mart Dock in downtown Muskegon with his best friend Donna Brace, when they were 11 years old. He knew Donna nearly his whole life, they grew up in the same neighborhood (she lived nearby on Allen Avenue), and they were friends ever since grade school. Donna refers to their neighborhood as "Old Holland Town," where they had so many memories. They did nearly everything together, from going to Catechism at church, to "C.E.," (now called youth group), to riding to school together on Jerry's scooter. It was a wonderful friendship they shared, a friendship that would eventually become true love. The two began officially dating, but the young couple would soon be separated by the dark skies of World War II. Jerry graduated from Muskegon High School in 1945, and always ready to serve others, promptly entered the U.S. Navy that same June. He was sent overseas to serve on the USS General William Mitchell, stationed in Guam at the end of the war. When his service to his country ended, Jerry returned home to Muskegon, and home to his beloved Donna. Their childhood friendship had grown into something so much more special, and they celebrated with their wedding on November 24, 1948, at the Fifth Reformed Church they attended together their whole lives. A new chapter in their lives had begun. Now husband and wife, Jerry and Donna wasted little time before they became father and mother, as well. Over the next few years they were blessed with three wonderful children, sons David and Gerald Jr., and daughter Julie. The family did so much together, and they enjoyed camping trips to Silver Lake and Pioneer Parks in the early years, pulling a little pop-up trailer behind them. They drew many funny looks from people with that trailer, which looked like a covered wagon! As the years went by, they traded up to bigger, better trailers, and eventually hit the "big time," when they bought a motor home to travel the country "in style." Jerry was excellent at piloting the big rigs, too. Jerry was a loving, devoted father, who instilled in his children the same work ethic and love of the Lord that he possessed. Teaching his children about Jesus Christ was so important to him, just as he taught so many others. Jerry served his faith and his church devotedly, teaching Sunday School classes and Catechism for many years. He also served his church as Deacon and elder on previous Consistories. Jerry provided for his family by first working as a salesman for Muskegon Automotive and later Coca-Cola. Always willing to serve, he then developed an interest in criminal justice, and became the Chief of Police in the Village of Fruitport in the 1970s. Back problems and subsequent surgeries led him to resign his post, however, and in 1977 he went to work at Mercy Hospital as a Security Guard, where he stayed for 12 years until he "retired" in 1989. Over the next six years, he worked for ProMed Ambulance Service, transporting patients. He also started a side business as a hobby, selling firearms. He earned his Federal Firearms License, and started a business called Jerry's Guns & Ammo. Jerry had a lifelong love of guns and hunting, which he shared with his sons and brother-in-laws, although he was notorious for nodding off, as the deer tiptoed by him! In his retirement, he and his beloved Donna traveled the country in their motor home, taking many trips across the United States with close friends, especially the cherished trips they made with their friends from the Orchard View Travelers. They were also involved in the Dragon Wagons and Georgie Boy RV clubs. Of course, Jerry also loved spending time with his grandchildren and watching them grow. Holly, Shawn, Bethanie, Jerry J., Jim, Brent and Seth meant the world to him, and filled him with such great pride. Sadly, Jerry suffered a stroke brought on by a brain aneurysm in 1995, which left him disabled. He rallied in the first year, nearly regaining the ability to walk, but smaller strokes eventually left him wheelchair bound. His speech was also affected, yet he could express himself so well with his eyes alone. His wonderful wife Donna lovingly cared for her husband and best friend for 11 years, although due to her own health problems, Jerry was moved to the Brookhaven Care Facility in March of 2006. Sadly, Jerry died Wednesday, July 26, 2006. Jerry was an amazing man, a man of such great faith and love. He was a best friend, a beloved husband, a loving father and doting grandfather, and a devoted servant of the Lord. Jerry was a man who did what he could to make the world a better place. Today we are so much better for having known him. He will be greatly missed. Gerald J. Bomers, age 79, Died Wednesday, July 26, 2006 SURVIVORS - wife of 57 years, Donna R.; sons, David Bomers of Muskegon, Gerald Bomers, Jr. of Muskegon; daughter, Julie (Paul) Dratz of Muskegon; grandchildren, Holly (Marcus) Rowlette, Shawn (Renee) Bomers, Brent Bomers, Seth Bomers, Bethanie (Dan) Swier, Gerald Bomers III, James Dratz; brothers & sisters in-law, Don (Arlene) Bromley, Richard Swords, Barb (Ken) Essenberg, Lois (Chuck) Byer, Jack (Marcia) Brace; several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Diane Marie Bomers; a grandson, Stephen Dratz; 2 sisters, Frances Meyers & Elizabeth DeLong. SERVICE - Saturday, July 29, 2006, 11:00 AM, at Fifth Reformed Church with Rev. Jim Stevens officiating. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery. VISITATION - Friday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM, at the Clock Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: Fifth Reformed Church Building Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.