Jerald Christian Jackman

Jerald Christian Jackman passed away at home in the care of his loving wife, Patricia, on May 16, 2020. He was born June 11, 1931 in Brigham City, Utah to Mark and Carrie Jensen Jackman. His exemplary parents instilled in him a diligent work ethic and a powerful testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. Jerry was raised in various communities in northern Utah, where his father, Mark, was a teacher and school principal.
Jerry graduated with the Granite High School class of 1949, where he made many life-long friends. He was a student at The University of Utah when the Korean War broke out, and his National Guard Unit, which he had joined while in high school, was called up to serve in the 115th Engineer Combat Group stationed in Germany. This turn of events dashed his hopes of serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
During his stint in Germany, Jerry’s casual acquaintance with fellow Granite High graduate Glen Hoggan developed into what would become a life-long friendship. The two friends later became brothers-in-law when, upon returning from Germany, Jerry’s friendly correspondence with Glen’s sister, Merlyn, deepened to love, and Jerry and Merlyn Hoggan were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 20, 1952.
With money he had saved while serving in the armed forces, Jerry purchased a lot on 1300 East and 4000 South and, while he was finishing his education at the University of Utah and working two part-time jobs, he, with the assistance of his father, Mark, and his Grandfather Jensen, built a small home which he and Merlyn were able to move into prior to the birth of their first child and Jerry’s 1954 graduation from the university.
After college graduation, Jerry taught school at Canyon Rim Elementary for two years before being recruited by Row Peterson Publishers to sell textbooks to school districts in Northern California. The family moved to Stockton, California and then to Lodi, California, where Jerry spent most of the week on the road visiting schools. The weekend was spent attending to his duties in the bishopric of the Lodi Ward.
When Row Peterson became Harper and Row, Jerry moved up in management, and in 1962 the family moved to Fremont, California, where Jerry was soon called to serve as the bishop of the Centerville Ward.
Several years later, Jerry was promoted to Vice President of Harper and Row, and the family moved to New York, where Jerry had an office in Manhattan. While living in New York, Jerry was called to serve as a counselor in the Eastern States Mission Presidency.
Another career change in 1971 brought the family back to northern California when Jerry was hired as Vice President of Stone Publishers, a textbook startup company. Shortly thereafter, the company closed its doors, and Jerry and Merlyn, not wanting to relocate their children again, stayed in Walnut Creek, California, and Jerry became a real estate agent. In his first year with Mason McDuffie Real Estate, Jerry was one of the top three salesmen in the company. He soon became a real estate broker and moved into management. He spent many great years with Mason McDuffie, eventually becoming a part owner and Chairman of the Board.
In 1981, with their five children grown, educated, and living on their own, Jerry and Merlyn set aside their successful real estate careers to serve a two-year church mission in a proselyting and public relations capacity in Louisville, Kentucky.
After returning home, the couple made plans to serve another full-time mission, but Merlyn suffered a devastating stroke in 1990. Jerry reduced his responsibilities in his real estate career to care for her full time. Merlyn continued to suffer strokes and deteriorating health until she passed away in 2000.
After the loss of his wife, Jerry spent much of his time serving in the Oakland, California Temple, where he renewed a friendship with Patricia Hunt Whitaker, who was serving as secretary to the Oakland temple president. Years earlier, Jerry and Patricia had lived in the same ward in Fremont, California, where Jerry was the bishop. Now they were both single, and they soon struck up a friendship and fell in love. They were sealed in the Bountiful, Utah temple in 2001. All five of Jerry’s children, along with their spouses, and all three of Patricia’s children, also with their spouses, were in attendance. Additionally, Jerry’s 93-year-old mother and both of Patricia’s parents were in attendance.
Jerry and Patricia spent several years living in Danville, California. On September 22, 2002, the two were invited to meet with Elder Russell M. Nelson, who interviewed Jerry and found him worthy to be called as a sealer in the Oakland Temple. This assignment continued until April 2007, when Jerry and Patricia were called to serve a six-month mission in the Palmyra, New York Temple. During those six months, they made many great friends and had the opportunity to visit Church history and American history sites. Upon completion of that mission, Jerry and Patricia relocated to Salt Lake City—a move they had been contemplating for some time–and began service in the Salt Lake Temple—Jerry as a sealer and ordinance worker and Patricia as an ordinance worker.
During their years together, Jerry and Patricia enjoyed traveling—especially to foreign lands. And living in Utah, they enjoyed the close proximity and associations with family and friends.
In 2010 Jerry suffered a dissected aorta and a series of strokes that began a serious decline in his health. For the next ten years, under Patricia’s loving care, Jerry fought valiantly to recover. He was anxious to oversee the progress of his family and the care of his dear wife. Until the very end, his concern was for those he loved.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Brent, his wife Merlyn, a grandson Evan, his brother-in-law and best friend, Glen Hoggan, and many friends and relatives. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his siblings Bryce, Dallas, and Juliann; and his children: Reid (Doris), Terri (Jeff) Hart; Guy (Sara); Scott (Nora); and Lance. He is also survived by Patricia’s children, David (Anne) Whitaker; Krystyn (Dennis) Durfee; and Jim (Candice) Wantland as well as 32 grandchildren from the combined families and many great-grandchildren.
Jerry will be remembered for his incredible work ethic, his overarching concern and care for his family, and his absolute dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He leaves behind many family and friends but returns to the loving arms of his Savior and the close association of many dear ones who have passed on before him.
Due to current circumstances, a simple graveside service will be held at Memorial Holladay Cemetery on Thursday, May 21 at 1 p.m. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
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Service Information
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Graveside Service
May 21, 2020 at 1:00 PM
Memorial Holladay Cemetery, 4900 South Memory Lane (1990 East), Holladay, Utah 84117