Jerry Churchill

Jerry Maurice Churchill, 72, of Fort Collins passed away peacefully at his home on April 24, 2012. Jerry was a good man, cool as a cucumber and a real class act with a quick witted sense of humor, yet completely down to earth. He was born on September 9, 1939 to LaVerne and Dorothy Churchill in Pomona, California. Jerry was the oldest of three children. He attended Pomona High School where he graduated in 1957 as senior class president and captain of the football team. An interest in chemistry began with the college preparatory course he was required to take as a senior in high school. Chemistry courses continued at the University of California, Riverside where he graduated with a B. A. degree in chemestry in 1962. Playing football was a great interest his freshman year in college where he earned a letter. Football was interrupted in 1958 when he joined the Army Reserve program for six months of active duty and training as a heavy artillery forward observer. He met the love of his life, Terry Ann McGallian, and married her nearly 50 years ago on May 5, 1962. Jerry had a successful career in the analytical instrumentation manufacturing industry at Varian Associates, Carle Instruments, and finally the Hach Company. At Hach, he was Vice President of marketing and sales. Jerry's sales management style was full of respect and patience for his staff. He is remembered as more of a mentor than a boss. Everyone who worked with him respected and trusted him completely. He was a wonderful teacher. His enthusiasm and love of selling was obvious. His deep appreciation for people in his life was evident. Those eyes could not hide his honest, and sometimes playful, spirit. Jerry's garden and kitchen were his playgrounds and brought him much joy. He was a gourmet cook, but is especially known for his decadent cookies and candies which he took great pride in giving as gifts. A high light of Jerry's life was meeting his TV cooking idol Julia Childs at the Culinary Institute of America in 1999 where he and his wife, Terry Ann, took a pastry making course. Jerry was an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. He was a co-responsible in the Neocatechumenal Way. He loved his Community and greatly appreciated their joyous sendoff. Jerry is survived by his wife, Terry Ann; their five children, Kim, Krista, Kevin, Kirk, and Keith; ten grandchildren, Ashley, Cameron, Lucas, Hillary, Evan, Alex, Jake, Derek, Jamal, and Kyle; his sisters Jan Mohler and Caroline Hawkins. He is preceded in death by his parents. We are grateful to Dr. Paolo Romero, Jerry's hematologist, who recommended him to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Mn to participate in a clinical trial for myelofibrosis, a form of leukemia. It extended Jerry's life which provided the opportunity for him to complete his "work." A special thanks to the gentle angels at Pathways Hospice. A Visitation will be held from 6:00-9:00 pm Monday, April 30th with recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 pm at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 5450 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins, Co 80525. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, May 1st at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church or Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary at 3434 East Arizona Ave., Denver, Co 80210 would be appreciated.