Gerry Dean Wetherell

LIFE OF GERRY DEAN WETHERELL - August 19, 1941 - June 19, 2022 Gerry Dean Wetherell, age 80 passed away June 19th, 2022, at his home, surrounded by family with Genesis Hospice Care after a brief illness. Gerry was born August 19, 1941, in Joplin, Missouri to the late Wade and Patricia Wetherell. Along with his parents, Gerry was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Wetherell, and sister Judi Steele. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Swoboda) Wetherell, whom he married on August 25, 1962, while proudly serving in the U.S. Air Force. Other surviving family include Son, Gerry "Skip" (Ann Russell) Wetherell of Cambridge, and daughter Tracy (Ken) Warden of Westerville, Ohio. One sister, Janet Brown of Joplin, Missouri and Sister and Brother-in-Law Mary Ann and Frank Macek of Omaha, Nebraska. Gerry adored his ever-growing family of Grandchildren Dr. K.C. (Brittni) Warden, Kyle (Katherine) Warden, Tyler (Dyana) Warden all of Westerville, Ohio, and Whitney (David Thompson) Wetherell, Kirk (Emily) Wetherell, Abby (Joe) Prati all of Cambridge, Ohio. Great Grandchildren Braiden, Maddie, Lilly, Luke and Lucy Warden and Mila Gallien, Kloie Milton and Asher Thompson, Grayson and Krew Wetherell, Owen and Miles Prati. Gerry will also be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, and cousins in Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa, along with many very dear friends in the Carolinas, Nebraska, and Ohio. After his graduation from Joplin High School om 1959, Gerry served in The United States Air Force from 1960 to 1964 where he was selected to serve on the Elite Strategic Air Command Guard Drill Team, performing throughout the United States for many dignitaries including President John F. Kennedy. He was a lifelong member of the (SAC) Elite Guard Association. Gerry retired from 33 years in the insurance business in 2000. He and his wife Dorothy were also proud owners of The Point Restaurant from 1990 to 1999. Always civic minded, he was President of the Cambridge Park Board from 2005 to 2010 and also served on the Zoning and Planning Commission under Mayors Sam Salupo and Tom Orr. While living in South Carolina, he became a volunteer for the City of Myrtle Beach, Citizens Police Academy, and assisted the police with monitoring the large gatherings of various events. He was a lifetime Member of the Elks Lodge #448 in Cambridge and served as House Committee Chairman for 5 years at the Calabash Elks Lodge #2679 in North Carolina. He also belonged to the Cambridge Moose Lodge chapter #631, and was current President of the Cambridge Kambri Shrine Club. Gerry loved to learn and wanted to inspire his family that it's never too late to reach a new goal. He completed his Bachelor's of Arts Degree from Muskingum University in 2010. Graduating Summa Cum Laude with his family in attendance, and received his Master of Arts Degree in Management and Leadership from Liberty University in 2013 at the age of 72. He continued with Theology courses from 2018 until November of 2021. Always a believer, his love of God and the Bible nourished him during this time. He had become a 32nd degree Mason years ago which guided him to build his moral character and connection to his community. He attended the Church of the Lost and Found in North Myrtle Beach and found a home with NewPointe Community Church in Cambridge. His passing on Father's Day was appropriate, spending his day with family and his night with his Heavenly Father. Gerry loved all sports, but especially baseball and golf, and prided himself and amazed his golfing biddies by being able to drive a golf ball farther than some half his age. His Thursdays were spent golfing with his Calabash North Carolina Elk Rebels while residing in S.C., and his summers with his Cambridge Elk buddies, enjoying many hours of comradery searching for that "hole in one". During his bowling league days, he threw two perfect 300 games and two 800 series. He loved relaxing on the dock with a fishing pole at his cabin on Seneca Lake and never seemed to mind whether he caught a fish or not. Cruising the lake in his pontoon with his great grandkids on his lap, urging him to "go faster Grandpa" was always a thrill for him. Reminiscing around a roaring campfire, roasting hot dogs, and listening to the many antics of his children and grandchildren from years ago, made for lively conversation. He shared his wife Dorothy's passion for helping the Guernsey County Shelter dogs, always willing to give love and compassion to the dogs she brought home to foster and care for until finding their "forever" home. Kodi, his last adopted dog who passed in January, was undoubtedly his favorite. His family was his life and his reason for returning to live in Ohio. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Cambridge Elks Lodge for family and Friends on Saturday, August 20th, 2022, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Northwood Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Guernsey County Dog Shelter, 62824 Bennett Avenue, Cambridge, Ohio. Writing "Gerry Wetherell" on memo line of check will direct your donation to a recently established building fund for a new Guernsey County Dog Shelter. An on-line Guest-Book may be signed at www.bundy-lawfuneralhome.com.