Obituary: Elliott, Jerry E.
Age 82
His parents moved the family to Washington State in 1935 and settled in Sunnyside, WA.
Jerry graduated from Central Valley High School in 1949 and after graduation he joined the Navy, serving five years in both Korea and Japan.
After discharge Jerry began working for Pacific NW Bell Telephone.
He married Carol Behm in 1956 and they had two daughters, Cindy and Kathy.
They lived in the Columbia Basin until moving to Wrangell, AK where Jerry was hired as a manager of GTE Alaska.
Jerry devoted his energies to improving the quality of life for his family and his community.
He was instrumental in finding funding to establish a live radio station, a first for the town.
He also helped found a Lutheran Church, another first.
He was elected President of the C of C and also to the Port Commission.
Jerry and Carol started a charter fishing service which they operated in addition to their full time jobs.
Jerry used vacation time to build the business and eventually they sold their house and moved aboard their boat, Caprice.
After retiring form GTE in 1988 he and Carol moved to Arizona for a few years before returning to the Spokane area and then building a house in Valleyford in 1993.
Jerry is survived by his wife Carol; daughters, Cindy Manning (Ken) Gig Harbor, WA, Kathy Robinson (Ron) Valleyford, WA; brother, Chuck Elliott (Carol) Maricopa, AZ; grandsons, Buddy, Steven, Kacy; great-granddaughter, Adelyn; and nephews, Charlie and Clint Elliott.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013 at Valleyford Community Church followed by a Celebration of life.
Cards and letters may be sent to the family.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Hospice of Spokane.