Jerry adored and was proud of all of his 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren (& one due August 2022).  He enjoyed playing with them, showing them how to fish, and teasing them.  It didn't matter if they were biological grandchildren, adopted grandchildren, grandchildren through blended families, or grandchildren from international students whom he and Georgia served as host family.  

Jerry started having heart problems in about 2008 and by 2017 he ended up with a heart pacemaker.  After he was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, it was later realized that he had been exposed to agent orange during his tours of duty in the Navy.  Jerry was a strong person and fought hard for 5 years to stay positive through all his many doctor visits, increasingly incredible pain, and severe complications throughout his body due to the diabetes.   His body was finally too tired, weak, and worn out;and succumbed to the effects on March 11, 2022.

Jerry was passionate about serving as a volunteer with the American Red Cross, where he dedicated over 40 years.  He first taught First Aid and CPR, then became certified as a trainer of First Aid and CPR trainers.  He also served in all capacities on the (then) Dodge County Board of the American Red Cross.  Jerry joined with the Disaster Services as a volunteer, providing assistance to individuals impacted by floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, fires - wherever the disasters took him in the United States.

Jerry thoroughly enjoyed his fishing and camping trips to Glen Elder, Kansas; Okaboji, Iowa, Hillsdale, Kansas, and many other places.  After he retired, he took on the challenge of fishing for muskies and joined the muskie club.  He enjoyed boating, camping, and telling stories around the campfire, on these fishing trips.  

Jerry also used his self-taught woodworking skills to make cabinets for his large drills and saws; and cutting trim to replace all the wood trim in his house.  He even made a child's table to hold his first grandchild's "Thomas the Train" set; which has been re-painted and is still in use in Jennifer's house.

Then Jerry took a class in computer programming, becoming very familiar with using computers, even though he never went beyond using one finger at a time on the keyboard!  He on many computers for friends and family.

Born to Robert Leonard and Lorna Hazel (Boston) Eckert.  He had to 2 sisters, Sheryle and (Carol) Susie.  Jerry graduated from Fremont Senior High School in 1965 and went right into the Navy.  He served four tours of duty in Viet Nam.  He met Georgia Yount in June of 1968 and they were married on July 26, 1969.  They have 3 daughters, Jennifer Lynn, Emily Mishel and Brittany Ann.  Jerry worked for the power plant in Fremont for 36 years.