Jerry Emrie Wooten

Jerry Emrie Wooten passed away on March 26, 2025 at the age of 92. He was born on a Saturday in Dodge City, Kansas - September 9th, 1933. His life began with struggles as he lost his mother, Helen, at a very early age. This challenge, in many ways, became a blessing as he was raised by two very different, but equally strong grandmothers. This shaped his life in many ways. Most notably, he was always one to look on the bright side and make the best of every situation. Those that knew Jerry, knew him as a loving man with a positive attitude and always ready to have a party. For Jerry, even a small gathering was a ‘party’.

After spending his youth bouncing between Dodge City and Liberal KS, his father, Jay P. Wooten (Pampa) moved him, Jerry and his two brothers, Jamie and Jay Jr (Buddy) to Hutchinson, KS to settle down. His father managed movie theaters and eventually owned and managed drive-in theaters. Jerry spent much of his youth working in the theaters, running concessions and learning the business from his dad and Aunt Lois (Helen’s sister).

But the theater business was not meant for Jerry. Out of high school he started going to the University of Kansas. But that also proved to be a bad fit so he joined the Navy a year later and spent two years, mostly in the Pacific, on the USS Bausell destroyer as a Fire Controlman. This was the tail end of the Korean war. He returned home and enrolled in Kansas State to become a Civil Engineer - he accomplished this in two years.

During the summers, while attending K-State, he got a job working for the Forest Service helping build camp grounds at Lake Tahoe. During this period he also met a young lady, Sandra Dillon, whom he dated off and on. A year after Sandra graduated from high school, Jerry asked Sandra to marry him and move to California. She said ‘Yes’. This was June 4th, 1960.

Jerry and Sandra moved all over California (mostly Northern) while Jerry moved up the ranks in the Forest Service. Eventually they landed in Orinda, CA to finish raising their two children. Jerry retired in 1985 as a Regional Forest Manager. But, to know Jerry is to know that he was just getting started - not a man to be idle! Soon after retirement he started helping Sandra open a school in Santa Fe, NM for her Rosen body work practice. They lived between Orinda and Santa Fe for several years. They also traveled the world and thoroughly enjoyed life.

Jerry is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Sandra (2022). They also lost their daughter, Laurie, in 1980 and grand-daughter, Michele, in 2010. He is survived by his son, John, daughter in-law, Suzanne; granddaughters, Hailey and Jasmine; and great-granddaughter Mackenzie and great-grandson, Amaree. There are also many extended family members that so enriched his life over the years.

While there is no planned service at this time - both Jerry and Sandra requested their ashes be interred at their respective family gravesites in Kansas. This will be planned for 2026. In the meantime, gather with a loved one, raise a toast, and have a ‘party’.