Gerald Sturgis

If success were measured by lives touched, Gerald Jerry Sturgis would have set the bar extremely high since helping others came naturally to him from an early age. He was a man who took charge of his circumstances, not someone who sat idly by while life unfolded around him. Jerry was a dedicated family man who devoted his life to being the best husband and father he could. Known for his strong work ethic, Jerry worked within several different industries through the years in order to provide a comfortable life for his family. He carried himself with courage, strength, and integrity every day, especially when engaged in the fight for his life. His absence will be keenly felt by many. After many years of misery through the years of the Great Depression followed by WWII, things were looking brighter in the year 1949. Postwar prosperity was in place with companies that were able to fulfill the consumers need for good such as cars, radios, and televisions now that the demand to support the war effort had ceased. This was a year for great joy in the family of William and Thyra (Cox) Sturgis since it was on June 9th that they celebrated the birth of their son, Gerald. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Gerald was the second of twelve children in his family. Life was very difficult for the Sturgis family and as a result, all 12 children ended up in foster care. Jerry attended a variety of schools throughout his formative years and always gave his very best in his studies. It was as a young man that Jerry established the strong work ethic that followed him throughout his life. As a high school student in Whitehall, he used to hitchhike to Cloverville, which is over 20 miles away, just to work at his uncles gas station. After graduating from high school, Jerry continued to work at the gas station, and he also put in some hours at Coles Bakery. He eventually secured a position making bowling balls at Brunswick. With the money he earned, Jerry helped provide for the family. Over time, he was able to remove all of his siblings from the foster care system and welcome them back home, two at a time. Jerry took an active role in raising his younger siblings as well. When he was in his late twenties, Jerry met the young woman with whom he would share a lifetime of love. Her name was Anita Kiel and they met on a blind date. Sparks flew that fateful night and it wasnt long before both Jerry and Anita knew they were true soul mates. They were married on September 15, 1979, beginning a new chapter in a love story that would last more than 30 years. They eventually settled into a home on Peck Street in Muskegon Heights where they met many neighbors who became great friends. Having children was one of their greatest desires as husband and wife and nothing could have made them happier than the day they welcomed their son, Christopher, into their hearts and home in 1993. He was born with spinal bifida and was a child with special needs that his parents did everything they could to accommodate. In 2003, their familys circle of love grew to include Jerry and Anitas adopted daughter, Julie, and with her addition their family was complete. In order to make a living, Jerry did whatever needed to be done. He remained at Brunswick for 38 years where he worked as a machinist. Jerry also owned and operated Professional Hauling, a company that hauled household items and what many would see as junk, often from estate and other sales. He was a hard worker in everything he did and even during times that he was laid off, he always managed to find other work to help make ends meet. Although work was certainly a necessary part of Jerrys life, nothing compared to spending time pursuing the things he was passionate about. As his son grew older, Jerry and Anita joined with other parents of special needs children to form No More Sidelines a group that organized sporting activities for special needs children. This became one of Jerrys great missions in life and what began as a group with seven members, has grown to include more than 250 today. Many of the other parents from the group became close friends with whom they spent a lot of time. The Sturgis family enjoyed fun-filled trips to Texas and California to visit relatives and check out Disneyland. Jerry was also very close to his in-laws and enjoyed spending time with the Kiel family. Additionally, he attended West Michigan Worship Center in Muskegon when time allowed. When he had leisure time, Jerry was usually one to keep busy. There were many times that Jerry came across discarded treasures through his hauling business and as a result, he developed a love for antiques. He was also quite a handyman with a garage full of tools that he put to good use on a regular basis. Jerry loved remodeling projects around the house and was known to help neighbors with their remodeling projects, too. He built soccer nets and other needed sporting equipment for No More Sidelines, and he also made Christmas ornaments. During the sunset of his life, Jerry faced some tough battles with his health. By 2007, his arthritis progressed to the point where he was no longer able to work so he retired from Brunswick. Not long after, Jerry was diagnosed with cancer. Even though he fought hard against the disease that held him tightly in its grip, after a few years the battle was too hard for his body to overcome any longer since the cancer had spread throughout his body. Jerry drew his last breath surrounded by the family he adored. Gerald Jerry Sturgis was a truly extraordinary man who lived his life to make a difference in the world around him. It was clear by the life he led that he was a firm believer that it is in giving to others that we are truly blessed. Jerry enjoyed many things throughout his life, but nothing was of greater importance to him than loving his family. He was a true gift to many who will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. Gerald "Jerry" Sturgis died Friday, December 31, 2010. Jerrys family includes his wife, Anita; son, Christopher Sturgis; daughter Julie Sturgis; 3 sisters, Sandy Coffman, Jeannie Gonyon, Denice Smith; 4 brothers, Terry Cox, William Sturgis, Robert Sturgis, Dennis Sturgis; Mother-in-law, Marie Gowell; sister-in-law, Karrie Kiel, brother-in-law Terry (LaRaine) Kiel. He was preceded in death by a brother Allen Sturgis. A service will be held on Thursday, January 6, 2011, 6:00 p.m. at West Michigan Worship Center with Pastor Robert Johnson officiating. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery. Visit with Jerrys family and friends on Wednesday, 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes Fruitport location Fruitport, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial donation to No More Sidelines, Spina Bifida Association or Harbor Hospice.