Hall of Fame
Jerry was born in Cleveland, Texas in 1938. His early years were spent in Houston where his mother, wanting to keep him on the "straight and narrow", sent him to a Lutheran elementary school. It was there that his fourth grade teacher planted the seed for Jerry's love of teaching and education.Â
He attended Concordia University, Austin (a two-year college then) and Concordia University, Seward for his undergraduate degree from 1958-1960. His first call was to an elementary school in Illinois teaching fourth and sixth grades. Simultaneously, he received his Masters in Education from Concordia University, River Forest in 1964. The next twelve years he spent teaching at Lutheran High North in St. Louis, Missouri.Â
He married Janet Reid of Denver, Colorado in 1965. Their son Jeff was born in 1969. Jeff `87 is a graduate of Orange Lutheran and married Stacey Anderson `86. They have two daughters, Amanda and Megan.Â
Jerry came to Orange Lutheran in 1976. He taught social studies and coached boys basketball from 1976-1990, winning titles in 1978 and 1979 (Arrowhead League), and in 1988 and 1989 (Olympic League). Additional accomplishments included runner-up CIF/SS small schools division 1978, CIF/SS semi-finals 1979, and runner-up 2A CIF/SS 1989. The Lancers went to quarter finals of State in 1989 losing to Santa Clara by one. League Coach of the Year honors were awarded a multitude of times.Â
Jerry's legacy at Orange Lutheran, though, is as Captain P.R.I.D.E. The acronym stands for "Personal Responsibility In Daily effort" and was a mantra he encouraged each student to take to heart, whether it be through athletics, academics or daily life.Â
Jerry and his wife retired to Oro Valley, Arizona. Jerry started a new chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge adn is very involved in sending high school students on educational trips to Valley Forge. This was a passion of his with the Orange County chapter as well; he fundraised, chaperoned, and sent numerous Orange County students on these historical tours.Â
