Jerry was born July 24, 1951 in Coral Gables, FL to Gerald Earl Sr. and Olive (Haines) Rich. Jerry graduated from Escambia High School in 1969. Jerry also graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology from the University of West Florida and a Masters in Management from Troy University.
Jerry spent his life as an educator to many. Jerry was in the naval aviation flight class of 0577, where he was a naval pilot and flight instructor. After retiring from the Navy, Jerry worked as a middle school teacher and dean for Warrington, Ransom, and Ferry Pass Middle Schools. Additionally, Jerry was the night school coordinator for Escambia High School’s adult program for several years. Jerry touched the lives and helped shape the futures of numerous men and women. After retiring from the Escambia County school system, Jerry enjoyed fishing, golfing, spending time with his grandchildren, and working with the men’s ministry at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Pensacola, FL.
Jerry is survived by his four children: Kathryn (husband Matt) Boliew and David (wife Bryce); Jerrod and James (wife Lauren)—with their mother, Carla; brother, James “Jimmy” (wife Nancy); sister, Julie (Caldwell); six grandchildren: Zoe, Jocelyn, Trevor, Jaxson, Riley, and Gemma; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Services will be held at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel in Pensacola, FL at 5:00PM on Saturday, September 22, 2018. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Saturday.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the National Naval Aviation Museum, http://www.navalaviationfoundation.org/ways-to-give/
