A Montana native, a loving husband and father, and a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Jerry worked 44 years as a truck driver in Central California.
Jerry was born in 1943 in Missoula, Mont. to Lester “Buzz” Beavers and Daisy (Clawson) Beavers. He graduated from Drummond High School.
At age 17, he enlisted in the Marines and was based at Camp Pendleton. He served in the 7th Motor Transport Battalion, 5th Marine Division. Upon his honorable discharge as a Private First Class (PFC), he moved to Orange Cove, where his parents had relocated for a number of years.
In 1967, Jerry met Dolores Garcia in Dinuba. They married in 1972 and became the proud parents of son Jefferson and daughter Julia, living first in Sanger and then moving to Dinuba.
His work as a truck driver included 36 years at Central Valley Ready-Mix in Sanger. He mostly drove cement mixers, and for many years he ran the batch plant with great skill and precision. Jerry was well-respected among builders, contractors, and truck drivers throughout Fresno and Tulare counties, and beyond.
Jerry most loved fishing—a sport he knew from a young age, growing up in Big Sky Country—with family and friends. He also enjoyed building and fixing things, listening to old-fashioned country music, and in retirement visiting Mono Wind Casino in Auberry with Dolores to split a lunch and try their luck.
Jerry is survived by his wife Dolores and daughter Julia, of Dinuba; son Jefferson and daughter-in-law Tracy Stuntz, of Fresno; sister Patty Carter and brother-in-law Jim Carter, of Dinuba; brother Kenneth and sister Leora, of Hamilton, Mont.; and many nieces and nephews in the Beavers and Garcia families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daisy and Lester; and brother, James.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on January 10, 2025 at Smith Mountain Cemetery, 42088 Road 100, Dinuba. There will be no reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Semper Fi and America’s Fund in memory of Jerry R. Beavers.
