My Uncle Jerry was the coolest, smartest, sweetest, uncle ever! I have many fond memories of Jerry like when I was little and he and Aunt Lynn, and Rene would come to the lake property that my parents had. I can still feel how amazing it was to even chat a tiny bit with my famous California uncle. Over the years I had many chances to see Jerry and also be with him in Hawaii. One trip in 2019 I got to spend very special time with just Jerry and Annie. I will always cherish that trip and all the trips to Hawaii when Jerry and Annie were there.

Memories are great but what stays with me and lives with me is Jerry’s huge heart. He was ALWAYS willing to chat with me and help me learn more about running, sailing, Hawaii, and the sea in general. Jerry was a large man but so gentle and sooo funny. I aspire to be as kind, gentle, and loving as my dear Uncle Jerry and I pray that I can pass some of Jerry on to those I touch.  

Uncle you will live on in my heart and the hearts of those you touched while on this plane.  

I Love You Jerry!  -Your nephew, Christopher.

The notion that Jerry is gone is to me inconceivable.  So I choose to think of my beloved brother as remaining in my heart and in my mind on a yet unnamed level.

He was born my little blond brother.  But as the years went by he became someone to learn from, emulate and just enjoy.  "Let's go skiing!"  a surprise phone greeting from across the country.  Or "Surf's up!"

What a powerful memory I have of this handsome man rigging the hobie-cat for a sail on Big Bear Lake. His patience teaching me to crew as we flew across the water...teasing...threatening a thrilling pitch-pull while in perfect control of the helm.  Sailing.  His favorite thing to do, he reminiced later.

Always up for a new adventure: flying down a snow covered mountain slope riding those long skis, snorkling the deep off Maui, fishing rushing rivers, dirt biking the desert or climbing a mountain!

His generosity sharing Annie and his vacation time with me: contimplating the Sistine Chapel in Rome, quietly reading on the deck at the cabin or on the beach at Napili Bay after a day of shared adventure.  I remember his moving words as we laid Mother's ashes next to Daddy's grave high on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul.

He was a renisaince man.  He could sculpt a bear or build a workshop, cook shrimp scampi or climb a mountain.  Our sister, Lynn and I witnessed him constuct a loving and dedicated marriage with a very special woman, his Annie.

I will not say good-by, Jerry.  Thank you for continuing to share your essence.

I remain forever your loving sister, 
Joanie

Oh Jerry, I will miss you so much. Technically you were my brother in-law but in reality you felt to me like you were always my "Brother". I couldn't have  asked for a better brother or kindred soul! I loved so many things about you. You were a Passionate Guy! You loved to cook. You made the Best Apple Pie! Your Barbecue Ribs were Heaven! Your Corn Pudding Casserole wasn't just a casserole it was a gourmet casserole! I'll never forget your Salmon Dinner. Wow! I've never had anything like that before, 5 Stars! Like me, you loved music. You were my Blues Brother. I remember you listening to the Long Beach Blues radio station. You were a hard-core fan, you loved Down Home Blues, down to the Delta Blues! I remember us listening to Linda Ronstadt, we were both big fans! I loved when you would share a good book you had read. I remember most of them were full of adventure, reality adventures! You reminded me of my Dad, you had a way of telling a story about some incident big or little and making it so enjoyable! I never was a big fan of people calling me Ruthie but I loved when you called me Ruthie! You had the Grandest Smile Ever! That matched your Smiling Eyes! You were the Sweetest Guy and I remember crying when you and Sister took your Wedding Vows. I was so HAPPY for you Both! Like Sis said, what a Wonderful Life you and my Sister shared!

Oh Jerry, I will miss you so much! Technically you were my brother in-law but in reality, you felt to me like you were my "Brother". I couldn't have asked for a better brother or kindred soul! I loved so many things about you. You were a Passionate Guy! You loved to cook. You made the Best Apple Pie!  Your Barbecue Ribs were Heaven! Your Corn Pudding Casserole wasn't just a casserole it was a Gourmet Casserole! I'll never forget your Salmon Dinner. Wow! I'd never had anything like that before, 5 Stars! Like me you loved music. You were my Blues Brother. I remember you listening to the Long Beach Blues radio station. You were a hardcore fan, you loved Down Home Blues, down to the Delta Blues! I remember us listening to Linda Ronstadt, we were both big fans! I loved when you would share a good book you had read. I remember most of them were full of adventure, reality adventures! You reminded me of my Dad, you had a way of telling a story about some incident big or little and making it so enjoyable! I never was a big fan of people calling me Ruthie but I loved the way you called me Ruthie! You had the Grandest Smile! That matched your Smiling Eyes! You were the Sweetest Guy and I remember crying when you and Sister took your Wedding Vows. I was so HAPPY for you Both! Like Sis said, what a Wonderful Life you and my Sister shared!

My sincerest sympathy for your loss. His presence was as positive as the smile you see on his face in this picture. We all loved Uncle Jerry. He was so easy to love and to be around. He will be greatly missed. I miss him.

Annie,
 I keep reading over and over your perfect tribute to Jerry.  It brings  back so many memories and times spent with the two of you.
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband and your best friend.  He was such a special man to so many and a "friend forever" to me..............Loreen


I had the privilege of knowing Gery for 55 years and sharing a few of his adventures.  Here are some memories of mountain climbing, fishing and dirt bike riding.  As is evident in these images, Gery enjoyed life immensely.  Annie brought out the best in Gery and both Trish and I count them among our most cherished friends. 
Trish and Larry Nye


When I remember Jerry I think of his big smile and great sense of humor. I met him at the Port of Long Beach where I was an intern and have him to thank for giving my husband Alex the wise advice to marry me. I had the pleasure of getting to know him and Annie over the years. Jerry always had a good story and I enjoyed the many dinners and birthday celebrations he and Annie and Alex and I had together.  Jerry was a strong, honorable and funny guy and  I feel fortunate to have crossed paths with him in this life. He was a person that made this world a better place. He will be missed. Hugs to Annie and the rest of the family. 

In 1980 Jerry took a job at Long Beach Oil Dept and I took his place at the Port of LB.  At lunchtime I would see this tall guy running over the Magnolia bridge like clockwork every day and I thought wow, this guy is something else! So one day I got a call to go help somebody with some programming for his calculator. I went down and was surprised to see it was the jogging man. We talked for a long time and realized we spoke the same language. A great friendship began that day. Before you know it we were jogging over the bridge together and did so for many years. We became workmates when he returned to the Port and from that point he became my best friend. We loved number crunching and going out to lunch (Taco Bell). When he saw me with a young Graphics dept intern taking breaks together he advised me, you’d better marry that girl - the best advice I ever got. He influenced me in so many positive ways and gave me his friendship that lasted for a lifetime. As was our tradition, we celebrated our birthdays together this year in June.  As usual it was a great time with lots of laughter, conversation and cake. I’m going to miss my friend, the big guy Jer.  Great memories that will never be forgotten. 

Oh Annie,  I am so sorry to be reading this, Jerry was such a great guy and I  loved talking to you both. We send our deepest condolences to you and the family. 
Debbie, Keythe, Jake and Joan 

Men, women and children
Everyone loved Jerry
He was a people person
And gave his loving care
To everyone

Rest in peace dear Jerry.  You'll be in our hearts forever.
Anne 

Aloha, my sweet husband and dearest friend.  You lived a good and long life, full of adventures. You were a runner for 30 years then transitioned to bicycling.  You climbed mountains, fished for salmon, rode dirt bikes with your kids, skied all over CA and CO with your sister and friends and taught your children to ski, as well.  You sailed our Hobie Cat on Big Bear Lake and declared it more thrilling than skiing! and when there was no wind, we kayaked all over the lake.  In between the fun, you were a no limits, true renaissance man, who could and did roof your house, sculpt beautiful pieces of art and produce 5star gourmet meals.  You loved classical music and Pavarotti but would also listen to Waylon Jennings and Lynyrd Skynyrd.  What a wonderful life you've had and it was my joy and good fortune to share it with  you.

OBITUARY

Gerald David Skalky

May 20, 1937 – August 7, 2023

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services