Jerome "Jerry" Avery

Jerome M. Avery was born September 07, 1972 in Oceanside, California. He was the only child born to Gail Burnadette “Burnie” Jackson, and Ernest Flemming Jackson (deceased). He is not preceded by a wife or children.

Jerome, often referred to as “Jerry or Boo” by family and friends, called Oceanside his home. He attended and graduated from El Camino Real High School in Oceanside, California in 1990. Upon graduation, Jerry received and signed a letter of intent for a scholarship at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. After two years in snow and cold weather, Jerry decided that Arizona was not the place to continue his education. He lived with his mom in Northern California, contemplating the next step for his future.

Within a year, he moved back to Oceanside and enrolled at San Diego State University in San Diego. The daily drive proved to be intolerable, so he and his friend Derick moved into a family rental in San Diego, to be closer to college. This proved to be a terrible idea. They partied more than they attended school for the education. They moved back to Oceanside. After many years of working and just being the free-spirited Jerry, once again, he became serious about his education.

During his educational pursuit, he met and fell in love with Katherine Sprague. “Kat” as she was lovingly referred to, is a nurse. She and her 10-year-old daughter Jasmine resided in San Diego. During this two-year romance, Jerry’s outlook became clearer. He focused on working in the evening, and attending school during the day. This allowed him ample time to be with Kat, who worked the evening shift at UCSD Hospital. Spending all his time with Kat and Jazz was his priority. That was the beginning of their love story. Her love for him never wavered. She stood by his side for the last 15 years.

Jerry loved sports. He was very competitive - from football, to baseball to track. In his spare time, he played basketball, street hockey, cycled and skated. Drawn to the water, he surfed and boogie boarded. He also skied and snow boarded. Drawn to the mountains, he felt free and loved to hike. He believed no one should make any excuses for themselves when being defined by someone else.

Jerry was a devoted member to ONE organization – he called it his “family and friends.”

With grandparents, father and oldest uncle deceased, Jerry leaves behind a devoted mother to celebrate his life; Katharine Sprague and Jasmine Lee, future wife and child; Mitchell Andrews, uncle; Michelle Matthews (Mitchell), aunt; Alisha Anderson (Andre) cousin; Zonyea “Tay” Avery, cousin; Bonnie Avery, aunt; Jerome Avery III, cousin; Dominque “Nikki” Avery, cousin; Jacqua Avery, cousin; Jaelin Avery, cousin; other special cousins; and a host of special “relatives” and friends that includes the “Dark Side Posse (DSP).”