Jerry overcame humble beginnings and a lack of formal education to successfully manage a seven-decade business career that started with a partnership in a small service station and ended with a large portfolio of local commercial real estate holdings. In between he sold cars, raced cars, owned a carpet store, invested in a telecommunications company and raised racehorses.
Jerry had an amazing ability to look at an old building and reimagine it as a new structure with a higher and better use. He had both the artistic eye and the construction experience needed to make everything come together and not only look good, but be profitable.
Jerry was a loving person who took care of many family members and friends in their times of need. He led an interesting and unusual life and was more than happy to tell you about it. He was, to say the least, a gifted storyteller. But he will be best remembered for his love of family.
Jerry was born May 20, 1933 in Dustin, Oklahoma to Lacy (Eslick) Maggard and Edgar Allen Maggard. Soon afterward, he moved with his parents and two older sisters, Faye and Leona, and younger brother Clifton “Buddy” to Selah. They relocated with dozens of family members, including his maternal and paternal grandparents, to look for field work during the Depression. When Jerry was five years old, his mother and baby brother, Phillip, died of tubercular meningitis.
Following that, Jerry’s father married Helen Painter, giving Jerry two stepsisters, Aileen and Evelyn, and a stepbrother named Ronald “Ronnie”. Soon after, Caroll Lynn was born. Eventually, their marriage dissolved and in 1946, Jerry’s father married Elsie Carroll, who had two sons, Larry and Roger Carroll. She had a life-changing impact on Jerry. He loved her very much, remembering her as the most wonderful mother in the world. Later in life, Jerry bought her and her mother (his Grandma Francisco) a house. He took care of her until she died in 1986.
In December 1950, Jerry left Selah High School halfway through his senior year to enlist in the U.S. Navy. It was a proud time of his life. He served as a cook on the U.S.S. Tang, a submarine. Jerry acquired his nickname after he and a couple of Navy buddies met some girls, one of whom said he was too cute to be a Howard, so they called him Jerry.
Jerry returned to Selah in 1954 after being honorably discharged from the Navy. He met and married Barbara Mollett, who was also from Oklahoma. Jerry and Barb were avid bowlers and dancers. They had three children, Jerry “Jake” Allen, Kristy Marie and James “Jimmy” Edgar. Kristy tragically died in a horseback riding accident that devastated the family. Jerry and Barbara divorced in 1976.
During this time, Jerry and a partner owned and operated a service station on the northwest corner of 16th and Lincoln avenues in Yakima. Jerry later said his biggest real estate mistake was selling the service station. He began his career in real estate during the mid-1960’s.
In 1989, Jerry married long-time love Patty Kinley (Kilpatrick). She had five children, Jeff, Randy, Dan, Dusty and Breezi. Jerry raised the younger three as his own. Patty passed away in 2008.
A few years later, Jerry began dating Phyllis Waters. Jerry and Phyllis were a very close couple. She provided a lot of love and companionship to him during his final years.
Preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Lacy. His beloved stepmother Elsie; sisters Leona, Faye, Aileen and Evelyn; brothers Bud, Larry and Roger; children Kristy, Jake; ex-wife Barbara; wife Patty; grandson Luth and great nephew Kris.
Survived in death by sister Caroll (Lee) Robinson; stepbrother Ronnie Painter; children James (Billie Anne) Maggard, Randy (Angie) Meloy, Dan (Stephanie) Kinley, Dusty (Amber) Kinley, Breezi Elyea; grand children Melissa Maggard, Marcus (Janell) Maggard, Christopher Maggard, Randy (Sydney) Jordan, Erin & Ranne Meloy, Jason Meloy, Jessica (Brian) Thomson, Tanner (Sarah) Meloy, Kierea (Marc) Miller, Kaitlyn & Evan Kinley, Beau, Jeff & Kaylee Kinley and Charlee (Damien) Chinn; nieces and nephews Karen Robison, Patsy Robison, Karl (Mary) Graf, Dale (Nancy) Graf, Gayle (Steve) Downey, Dick (Kim) Graf, Robin (Mike) Meiners, Ben (Julia) Graf, Brian Maggard, Cheryl Maggard, Marlene Maggard, Bud Maggard, Teresa (Scott) Smeback, Roger Carroll, Doug Carroll, Dana Carroll, David Carroll; great grandchildren Brendan Hull, Maximus Mertell, Jaxxon Rockwell, Hunter Maggard, Dakota and Isaac Jordan, Hudson and Madeline Meloy, Simon, Marie, Libby Mandy and Emily Thomson, John Christopher and Blakely Meloy, Brigham, Caroline, Raleigh and Teddy Miller; many friends; and his companion Phyllis Waters.
The family would like to thank Heartlinks Hospice and HopeBridge Home Health for their care and support.
