Honoring Jerry: A Memorial for a True Craftsman

My name is Warner, and I need help giving my dad, Jerry, the send-off he deserves. He passed away at 67, and I want to create a memorial that captures the remarkable force he was in this world.

The Man Who Filled Every Room

If you ever met Jerry, you definitely remember him. He was one of those people with a personality that filled every space he entered - loud, friendly, and absolutely unstoppable once he set his mind to something. Jerry genuinely enjoyed meeting new people and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He had this gift for making people laugh, always ready with a joke or some bit of foolishness that would get everyone grinning.

My dad had been sober for over 30 years, since before I was born. He was rightfully proud of that achievement, and whenever he'd mention it, he'd always add "in a row!" with a grin that never got old. That was pure Jerry: finding humor in everything, keeping things light, making sure the people around him were enjoying themselves.

Master of Metal and Machine

My dad had an incredible gift with his hands. He didn't study engineering or memorize technical manuals - he just understood machines on an instinctive level. When something broke, Jerry would work on it with the kind of focused determination that was beautiful to watch. He'd stay with it, figure it out, work around problems, until whatever it was ran like it should. No giving up, no exceptions.

This natural mechanical ability served him well at Willow Springs Raceway, where he raced for several years on the quarter-mile paved oval. His car number, 57, had a perfect Jerry story behind it: he was born in 1957, and on his 57th birthday, he won an engine in a contest that finally let him start racing. For several seasons he consistently placed third, and then achieved that sweet first-place race-win he'd been clawing for. It was glorious. When Jerry wanted something, he had the patience and persistence to make it happen.

The Harley Philosophy

Ah yes, his prized 1967 Shovelhead. He spent countless hours working on this bike (and others like it), and he developed a saying about old Harleys: "You gotta work on 'em before you leave, work on 'em while you're out, and work on 'em when you get home." It was more marriage than hobby, complete with all the devotion and frustration that implies. He loved the constant tinkering, the relationship between man and machine, the satisfaction of keeping something running through dedication and know-how.

Our Bond: Built in the Garage

Jerry was a man who liked simplicity and staying in his lane. He enjoyed his friends and his solitude in equal measure. The way we connected best was through working together, especially on the 1955 GMC pickup we rebuilt side by side. Those hours in the garage, my dad showing me how to read an engine's needs, how to be patient with stubborn bolts, how to celebrate when something finally clicked into place - that was our time.

That's why I'm building his casket myself, crafting it to look like that '55 GMC. It's the most fitting tribute I can think of: something built with my own hands, the way he taught me, representing the truck that brought us together.

How You Can Help

I'm hosting my dad's memorial at Stand Racing Ranch, where we lived together. I want to create a gathering where family and friends can share their favorite Jerry stories - and knowing Jerry, there are plenty of good ones.

Your support will help cover the various costs of giving Dad the memorial he deserves - from practical needs like seating and equipment rentals to food and beverages for guests, plus cemetery arrangements since Jerry never did get around to planning that part. Every contribution helps me honor him properly without the financial stress during an already difficult time.

Keeping Jerry's Legacy Alive

Jerry lived simply and authentically. He found joy in fixing things, in making people laugh, in his morning coffee (which he loved roasting himself) and his evening solitude. He didn't try to change the world - he just lived his life with determination, humor, and genuine friendliness toward everyone he met.

Any funds beyond the memorial costs will help maintain Stand Racing Ranch and support the YouTube channel where I share his mechanical knowledge and approach to craftsmanship. It's my way of passing on what he taught me: that with patience, determination, and the right attitude, you can fix just about anything.

Dad showed me that life doesn't have to be complicated. Work hard, treat people well, find reasons to laugh, and never give up when something needs fixing. He may have been the stubbornest man I ever knew, but that stubbornness built a 30-year sobriety streak, a racing career at 57, and a son who learned the value of working with his hands.

Help me give Dad the send-off he deserves - genuine, memorable, and filled with the laughter he always brought to every room.

Thank you for helping me honor my dad,

Warner

Stand Racing Ranch continues as Jerry's legacy - a place where determination meets craftsmanship, and where his straightforward approach to life and work lives on.