Gerald Terrence Stephens

Born in Detroit, MI on November 11, 1932, he was raised across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario. The now historic neighborhood of Walkerville, where he grew up was once a company town founded by Hiram Walker, of whiskey fame. In high school, Jerry lettered in football, swimming, hockey, and basketball. His speed on the football field led his coach to dub him the “Walkerville Flash”. When the family moved to Dearborn, MI in 1951, Jerry attended Henry Ford Community College, where he met many of his lifelong friends, including his first wife Kathy Bayoff. He served in the Army in Korea and upon his return, they married & he finished his degree at Wayne State University in Business.

At 25, he was hired in his first professional position at Ford Motor Company on the very same day his first child was born! His 35-years in the automotive industry dovetailed with his lifelong love of cars. One of his benefits was a new lease car each year which he so enjoyed picking out. He began in Human Resources and proved to be such an effective ‘people person’, he was promoted to manage a very large department of keypunch operators. This early method of data entry was increasingly automated, and Jerry continued to adapt, ultimately managing computer operations for Ford world-wide, taking calls at all hours of the day and night to ensure jobs and processes continued to run smoothly.

In 1967, the family moved to Ann Arbor, MI for the excellent school system and with his support, all three of his girls earned advanced degrees. And, of course, he became an avid Michigan Wolverines fan! He also worked with his brother Harry to establish the Little Caesars store on West Stadium, delivering his share of pizzas on weekends.

In 1992, he moved to Sarasota, FL, enjoying retirement boating, playing tennis and golfing as a member of Sunrise and Calusa Lakes Golf Clubs. After the passing of his first wife, he was fortunate to meet Janice Walsh and they were married in 1999. They were blessed with wonderful friends and neighbors and traveled widely. They especially enjoyed visits from Jan’s son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Michelle Wrobleski and their children, Melissa & Spencer. The addition of Melissa and husband Josh’s baby girl Emerson, last year, added another layer of joy to family get-togethers, as did the upcoming wedding plans for Spencer and Michaela.

A sincere thank you to the nursing staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Venice and Tidewell Hospice. After all they’ve been through the last few years with Covid, they were the epitome of care and compassion and truly inspiring.

Jerry is survived by wife Janice; brother Harry, of Boyne City, MI; daughters, Janis Mathews (Ron) of Tucson, AZ, Patricia Stephens (Patrick Beattie) of Menifee, CA, and Lynn Stephens of Culver City, CA; grandchildren, Meredith and James Beattie and Katrina Preiss, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Katherine (Bayoff); parents Harry and Ellen (Keelan), and brother Jack.

A military service with honors will take place March 30, 2022, at 11:30am at Sarasota National Cemetery, followed by a memorial luncheon at Stoneybrook Golf Course. A Celebration of Life will be held in Ann Arbor on July 22, 2022.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jerry’s honor to the Disabled American Veterans fund at www.dav.org or to a charity of your choice.

Please leave your cherished memories online at: www.rtsfunerals.com.