Jerry Davis Stephenson

Jerry Davis Stephenson, a talented trumpeter, avid family historian, proud army veteran, and cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on December 8, 2023, after a lengthy illness.

Jerry was born October 25, 1932, in Highland Park, Michigan, the only child of Margaret Opal (Davis) Stephenson and Cecil Broaddus Stephenson. Jerry grew up in Detroit and spent his boyhood summers in Missouri, where his parents grew up. He attended Highland Park High School, from which he graduated in 1950. During high school, Jerry ran track and played trumpet in a dance band he formed with several of his classmates. After high school graduation, Jerry attended Albion College, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

Following his sophomore year, Jerry left college to volunteer for the Army. After completion of basic training, the Army stationed Jerry in Nuremburg, Germany, with the famed 9th Infantry Division, 39th Regiment, known as the “Fighting Falcons.” During training, Jerry was the recipient of two sharpshooter badges. In Germany, Jerry’s unit patrolled the Czech-Slovak border with Germany to provide security during the initial years of the Cold War. Jerry also served as a courier for his regiment and eventually rose to the rank of Corporal before his discharge.

After his discharge from the Army in 1955, Jerry returned to Albion College to finish his degree. During his second stint at Albion, he met Barbara Hawke, who would become the love of his life. Jerry and Barbara were married on November 29, 1957, shortly after Jerry’s graduation from Albion. The couple had two children, Scott and Kelly, and made their home in suburban Detroit. Jerry had a lifelong passion for history and would take his family on trips to pivotal places in America’s story.

Initially, Jerry worked for the J.L. Hudson Company in Detroit. In 1960, he joined the Shulton Company as a sales representative and moved into the district manager role a few years later. In 1974, Shulton promoted Jerry to regional manager, and the family moved to the Chicago area, where they resided in Barrington for over 20 years. When he retired in 1990, Jerry was national director of specialty sales for American Cyanamid, the successor company to Shulton.

In retirement, Jerry and Barbara lived in Marco Island, Florida, where they made new friendships and enjoyed an active retirement. In addition to hosting their children and grandchildren on visits to Marco, they traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States. After a 40-year hiatus, Jerry rekindled his love of playing the trumpet. He worked diligently to hone his skills and became first chair trumpet for the Marco Island Strummers, a local Dixieland jazz band. Jerry and his bandmates performed at various venues in the Marco Island-Naples area. Jerry was also active in the Marco Island VFW Post, for which he served as vice commander and the post bugler.

Jerry and Barbara returned to the Chicago area in 2012 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. After moving to Wilmette, Jerry spent time researching his family history and accumulated a significant amount of information about both the maternal and paternal sides of his family. Jerry spent many happy Sunday dinners with his family, regaling them with his findings and stories from his childhood.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara Stephenson, son, Scott (Sally) Stephenson, daughter, Kelly (Timothy) O’Day, four grandchildren, Jordan (Daniel Kemp) O’Day, Lauren Stephenson, Michael Stephenson, Riley O’Day, and one great-grandchild, Freddie Kemp. A private memorial service will be held in January. Memorial contributions in Jerry’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.