Jerome “Jerry” John Grall died peacefully at the age of 90 in Dumas, Texas on Monday, September 6, 2021at 11:44pm listening to Frank Sinatra with his son Harold and daughter in law Stacey at his side. Harold shared, “his last breath was so soft and calming, could not have asked for anything better.”
Anyone who knew “Jerry” would know it was the Best Day of his life because he was finally home with the Lord Jesus and the love of his life, his beautiful, devoted wife of 62 years, “Bea”, Beatrice Savina Palafox Grall, who he affectionately called “Speedy”. Beatrice passed away June 13, 2015. In addition, Jerry was preceded in death by his infant son Matthew Daniel Grall who passed away August 7th, 1966.
Jerry is survived by his children: daughter Annette Pedregon (Hector Pedregon) of El Paso, Texas; son Alfred Grall in San Antonio, Texas; Harold Grall (Stacey McWilliams Grall) in Dumas, Texas; son Lawrence Grall (Christian Pederson) of Ennis, Montana; daughter Laurie Grizzard Taylor (Terry Taylor) in Dallas, Texas. In addition, his beloved legacy of grandchildren Matthew Pedregon (Corbin Wisdom), Nicolas Pedregon (Susie Wickenden Pedregon), loving parents of his great grandson Lukas, and Monica Pedregon Winterer. In continuation, Dumas grandchildren and great grandchildren include TJ McWilliams (great grandchildren Justin and Sage McWilliams), Dusty and Kathryn McWilliams (great grandchildren Zoe, Emalyn, and Ava…who always made Jerry laugh and smile). Jerry is survived by sisters Betty Levar and Carol Eicher in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Jerry was born to Alfred Grall and Julia Steffek in Milwaukee, WI on September 9, 1930. He grew up number seven of nine on Richards Street with his siblings: George, Monica, Ruth, Harold, Robert “Bob”, Elizabeth “Betty”, Donald, and Carol. Friends Jerry grew up with shared that everyone always wanted to hang out at the Grall house because it was always so much fun. (It was also mentioned that Jerry was the most handsome of all the boys).
Jerry was most proud of being from Milwaukee and his Austrian/Czech bloodline. He shared countless stories of the many good times he had growing up along with stories about his adventures with a group of his buddies he referred to as “The Johnson Gang”, because they used to meet up at Johnson tavern. He graduated from Rufus King High School in 1948 where he excelled in track and basketball and a passion for history. He enlisted in the army at age 19 during the Korean War. Wanting to be a paratrooper he was told he was much too smart and was subsequently sent to El Paso Texas in December 1949 to await assignment. Just days after arrival, Jerry met Beatrice Palafox at the NCO club. Jerry said he saw Beatrice across the room, and it was love at first sight, “just like in the movies.” He was sent to Japan 6 months later for 2 years. Despite being away from Bea, he enjoyed Japan and brought back many delightful stories. His excellence in service opened the honored invitation to attend Officers Training School…but he declined because all he wanted was to marry Bea and raise a family.
After completion of his two-year assignment in Japan, Jerry and Bea were married January 17, 1953, in El Paso, Texas at Immaculate Conception Church. Jerry obtained a Civil Service position with The German Air Force at Fort Bliss working on Missile Systems. During his 30 year career, he earned several Certificates with Honors after completing various training programs and was awarded several plaques for Leadership, Excellence in Performance and Appreciation for his work contributions. This excellence in work ethic was instilled in all his children.
Jerry was known for his high-level of intelligence and a memory for detail even to his last days. He was somehow always right (almost) even when it sounded like he was dead wrong. In addition, he had a talent where he could fix just about anything.
Jerry remained a devoted Catholic and an active member of the church along with his wife Bea throughout his life. Siblings share special memories of Jerry always singled out during mass by the nuns of Our Lady of the Valley Church for his rich tenor voice. Despite continued pressure, he declined to join the choir so that he may sing the cherished hymns blended alongside the operetic soprano tones of his wife Bea. After mass it was off to the bakery for his favorite doughnuts and pastries. He insisted his children attend parochial school whenever possible to gain a foundation in the Lord and ensure “a good education.” He believed with all his heart and often said “if God was first, everything would work out for the best.”
Jerry kept life simple and enjoyed the small things: family celebrations, holidays, birthdays, and all get-togethers. He smiled when it came to good bratwurst, good beer, Green Bay Packers, golf, baseball, Disney, pie, German pastry, real cream, ice cream and chocolate cake with chocolate icing...just to name a few. He especially loved musicals and movies. Jerry loved romance, hearing his wife sing, and every situation when the good guy wins. He was fearless in expressing his views on right and wrong and one never had to guess. Honest and loyal to a fault, Jerry always made sure his wife and kids lived in the best, “new” house he could afford. He sacrificed whenever he needed for his family and even made family vacations a priority every year “because it is important to have the family have fun in life”.
Perhaps his greatest attribute, Jerry loved with all his heart. He desired nothing more in life other than to see his wife and children happy and to provide whatever he was able to make that possible. His greatest joy was being with his wife and family. Jerry was always reaching out via phone call and/or yearly visits to his father, siblings and great aunts and uncles while they were alive. A phone call to his children was a common occurrence...perhaps not saying much, but just to check in. Without fail he never missed calling family on their birthday or for holidays. After the initial greeting, he would start out his intimate conversation with “how is the weather?” Jerry had the ability to remember all their birthdays...a Grall trademark.
In his last years, Jerry never missed an opportunity to share his blessings in his own words: “I had everything a man could want.” “I had a really great life. I was raised in a great family, I had a great career, I married the love of my life who gave me a beautiful family. I have many happy memories. I have no regrets.” He was deeply loved by all who really knew him; never complaining or requesting anything for himself.
Visitation/Rosary will be Sunday September 19th from 1pm-3pm at Martin Funeral Home East on George Dieter, El Paso Texas. Funeral Mass will be Monday September 20th, 2021 at 9:30am at St. Raphael Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Fort Bliss at 11 am. Lunch will be at 12:30pm at Julio’s Eastside following the burial.
Special recognition, thanks, gratitude, and accolades to all the staff of Memorial Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Dumas Texas for their outpouring of love and care provided during Jerry’s last years’ amidst the formidable challenges of the epidemic.
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