Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Dell, 88, longtime Harborite and former Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer with the Washington State Patrol passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma Washington.
Jerry was born on September 28, 1934 to Edward Dell and Marion Seaver Dell in Buffalo, New York. The family, consisting of 9 children, settled in Aberdeen, Washington.
Jerry graduated from JM Weatherwax High School in 1953. Soon after graduation, Jerry joined the Navy where he was a radio operator. After his obligation was fulfilled with the Navy, he moved back to Aberdeen where his sister Deanna introduced him to Bonnie Jean Thomas.
Jerry and Bonnie were married on April 28, 1956 in Aberdeen, Washington. The couple have four daughters: Bambi, Shanna, Fawnia, and Ember.
While the family lived in various cities throughout Grays Harbor and Thurston counties, they eventually settled in Elma, Washington.
Jerry was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and served as an elder in the Olympia area for many years where he prepared and became an exceptional public speaker delivering bible-based discussions. He loved learning about our loving God Jehovah and sharing what he learned with others. He also helped organize and build multiple Kingdom Halls (meeting places of Jehovah’s Witnesses) in the Olympia area.
He enjoyed Ham radio, photography, and was a jack of all trades which coined the phrase “Jerry-rigged.” He loved to build, fix, and maintain projects in and around his home and property. He could work on anything from electrical to construction. He loved all types of technology, especially “Dell” products.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and two sisters. He is survived by his wife Bonnie Jean Dell of 67 years, his children: Bambi (Jim) Schmidt, Shanna (Allan)
Armstrong, Fawnia (Lowell) Dallman, and Ember (Armand) Powell; three brothers: Richard (Karen) Dell, Larry (Colleen) Dell, and Tim Dell; two sisters: Deanna (Jim) Gragg, and Anita (Jim) Criel; seven grandchildren: Corey, Travis and Caleb Tucker, Breanna Broadie, Brennan Dallman, Emelia, and Ally Powell; plus nine great grandchildren.
A memorial will be held via zoom on Friday, April 14, at 7 p.m., officiated by Terry Hoel of the Rochester congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a long-time close friend of the family. If you wish to leave a memory or note of condolence for the family, please visit www.fernhillfuneral.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill
Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.
