Jerry Alan Schjei was born in Aberdeen, Washington on August 18th, 1945, to Parker and Bernice Schjei.

Jerry spent his early years playing neighborhood sports with his brother (David) and youth sports in Central Park, then later at Aberdeen High School where he graduated in 1963. After high school, he attended Grays Harbor College where he played baseball.

In 1967, Jerry enlisted in the Navy and served one tour in Vietnam as a Seaman on the USS Towers. Upon returning to Aberdeen, he started his career at ITT Rainier (later Grays Harbor Paper).

When not working, he filled his time playing city league slow pitch, basketball, football, and bowling. He met his wife, Kerry, in 1976 and they were married a few months later.

Jerry always wanted to be a father and his family grew in 1980 with the birth of his son (Kevin) and was completed in 1982 with the birth of his daughter (Kacy). Jerry loved being a dad and was heavily involved in everything his kids did. He was their biggest supporter and invested in their lives by coaching his son’s soccer, basketball, and baseball teams and working overtime shifts to financially support his daughter’s love of horses. There is not an event or activity that they had in which he wasn’t there to cheer them on.

The love his kids got to witness between their parents was the greatest gift of all. He was a truly committed spouse who needed nothing more than the happiness of his wife and kids. Jerry also loved spending time with his in-laws who quickly became a second family. There were countless hours, trips, family dinners, and game nights spent with the McFeely’s (Bonnie, Jerry, Mark, Stacy, Ryan and Shandi)

His family became complete when he gained his son-in-law (Mike) after walking his daughter down the aisle in 2005. Many of his days were spent with joy and laughter surrounded by family! He continued to work as a pipefitter for 45 years and upon retirement relocated from Aberdeen to Irvine, California to be closer to his son and grandkids (Camryn and Becker). He loved being a grandpa and his eyes lit up anytime his grandkids were around.

Although Jerry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years ago, he fought it with a positive attitude and a grateful heart. Jerry had a peaceful end to his full and happy life when he quietly passed at home in his wife’s arms with his kids by his side. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, March 30th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Aberdeen Rotary Log Pavilion.