Obituary for Gerald "Jerry" Dale Brummond
Gerald
(Jerry) Dale Brummond was born to Wayne and Phyllis (Powell) Brummond
on June 29, 1941 in Gig Harbor, Washington. He was about one month
early and weighed around 4 pounds when they took him home where he
slept in a shoebox. He joined his sisters, Beryl and Charlotte.
Bruce, his baby brother, joined the family a couple of years later.
He loved to tell people that his home for the last 33 years was about
three miles from where he grew up as the crow flies. He cherished the
friends and the fun they all had from his childhood years.
Growing
up in that era, Gerald loved spending time outdoors. Whether playing
in the woods or fishing with his dad at Pillar Point, he reveled in
the time spent in fresh air. Fishing was definitely a theme
throughout Gerald’s life – he always had a boat (or
three!) and was simply happiest when out on the water.
As a
young man, Gerald became involved in car racing. He loved wrenching
on cars and drove stock, drag and destruction derby cars. He spent a
lot of time with his “car” friends and from his stories,
they always managed to have a good time. Dancing at the Belfair Barn
and other local hangouts was something he loved to talk
about.
Gerald was a five year member of the Army National
Guard, starting his career of serving his country. When the shipyard
called and offered him a job, he left Boeing and went to work as a
sandblaster. He soon figured out that wasn’t his calling and
went into Shop 38 as a Marine Machinist. He married Jane Bozick and
they had a son, Ryan, in 1970. They lived in and around Manchester
for several years and Gerald became involved with training field
trial dogs. Gerald and Jane divorced in 1981 and Gerald met his
second wife, Julie (Chambers) at the shipyard. She had a young son,
Kristopher, and Gerald accepted him and raised him as his own.
They
bought a house in Port Orchard and Gerald thought it would be good to
raise hogs. Hog Heaven was the name of the “farm” and
there was a lot of activity surrounding this hobby. Gerald never went
into anything half way. One winter there were 35 hogs of various ages
being taken care of. The entire family was required to help and
nobody was sorry when spring came and the hogs went away. Gerald
spent weekends sports fishing and one of his proudest achievements
was winning the PSNS salmon derby, although he always felt bad that
it was only an 18 pound salmon that won that year.
After
taking an early retirement from the shipyard, Gerald decided to go
commercial fishing. He bought the F/V Gregory R and soon realized he
needed a bigger boat. Over the years, he owned and fished Washington
and Oregon on the F/V Surprise and finally on the F/V Roamer. Being
on the open ocean and doing the work required to maintain those old
wooden hulls was one of his great joys.
Gerald continued
working a “day job” during the off season as well. He
received his commercial driver’s license and drove truck for
Pacific Coast Evergreen for several seasons. He loved having an
excuse to be up in the mountains and enjoyed that job a lot. In order
to fulfill a lifelong dream, Gerald went long haul trucking for U.S.
Express. With life experiences and his trucking job, Gerald was able
to visit all 50 states in his lifetime.
When a diagnosis of
congestive heart failure forced Gerald to slow down, he didn’t
stay idle. He taught himself to weld garden art and wine racks, he
and Julie traveled to New Orleans where he enjoyed every minute, and
he recently decided to teach himself the banjo. Many times he said
that he was able to do everything he ever wanted to do in this life.
He felt blessed any time he had the opportunity to see his
grandchildren, Chane, Kyler, Kameron and Makinley. Gerald loved the
laughter and joy family and friends brought to his life. We will all
miss him tremendously.
Gerald is survived by his wife Julie,
sons Ryan (Ana) and Kristopher (Michelle); sisters Beryl (Verne)
Bjorkheim and Charlotte Winters; brother Bruce (MaryAnn) and four
grandchildren.
Our family gives thanks for the fantastic
support given to Gerald during his hospitalization. The medical
staffs at Harrison Memorial Hospital and UW Medical Center Cardiac
ICU were caring, kind and capable during that time.
Celebration of Life:
March 29. 11:00 AM 2017
Rill's Life Tribute Center,1151 Mitchell Ave, Port Orchard, WA, US, 98366
http://www.rill.com
Previous Bio of 1/2/2012:
Name:
Gerald Brummond
Email address: brummondj2001@wavecable.com
Spouses
name: Julie
Years married:24
Number of Children: 2
Number
of Grandchildren: 3
Number of Great-Grandchildren:
Education:
Career/Work Info: PSNS, Truck Driveing, Commerical
Fishing.
Company or Business name: Kelper Lighthouse
Fisheries
Notable Achievements:
Your status now:
Retired
Future plans:
Todays date: 1/2/2012
Comments or
information: