Gerald "Jerry" Ray Filer was born in Aurelia, Iowa on April 26, 1928. He was raised in a small family with his older sister, Dolores, and mother, Hazel, during the Depression years. In his youth, he worked at a local restaurant in the mornings, attended school during the day, and then returned to work in the evenings.
He graduated from high school in Storm Lake, Iowa, and promptly enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1946 at 18 years of age. He served overseas in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1948, decorated with two medals. After returning to the States, he attended Roosevelt College in Chicago, then transferred to Denver University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1951.
After college, Jerry stayed in Denver and met Bonnye Wilson in 1956. They married in 1957 and had two children: Barry, born in April 1958, and Diane, born in October 1959. He worked for numerous companies in the computer and technology sector, which took him and his family to Arizona, Alabama, California, and then back to Colorado. Jerry divorced in 1974 and went on to work in Iran and Australia.
Jerry was a massive sports fan, favoring the Denver Nuggets and Broncos, especially when they were doing well. He was a college sports buff, especially of Iowa college teams, and loved sharing his knowledge of any game and player stats with anyone who would listen. He was a lover of numbers and a database of sports statistics. His love for travel grew at a young age and was realized later in life as he trotted across the globe in search of adventure, with a desire to meet and connect with people from different places.
He found a fond connection with Thailand and would find himself visiting year after year. In November 1990, he met and married Nok "Wassana" Evans, and they moved back to Highlands Ranch, Colorado with her and her son, Noi.
Jerry enjoyed the outdoors and always knew Colorado as home. Here he could ski in the Rocky Mountains, go running along the foothills, and play basketball at the local court with his friends. He retired at 65 in 1993 from the Douglas County School District after maintaining the district's computer infrastructure for many years. He later moved to Northern Colorado to be closer to his family. His remaining years were spent connecting with friends, buffing up on sports knowledge, and sharing his adventures. He lived a full life, was loved by his family and friends, and left an imprint on everyone he met.
Jerry is survived by his sister Charlotte Filer-Peters, nieces Lisa McIntyre, Shauna Korney, daughter Diane Filer and her husband David Lane Bopp; grandchildren Brandon McConnellogue, Kyle McConnellogue and his partner Squeaky, Erin McConnellogue-Bechaever and her husband Chris; stepson Noi Riantong and his wife Carrie, and their two daughters, Giada and Savannah.
Cremation has been entrusted to Howe Mortuary of Longmont, Colorado.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Filer family.
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