Jerald Ronald “Jerry” Walther, 74 years of age and a longtime harborite, died on Sunday, October 25, 2009, at his home in Montesano, Washington. He was born on March 16, 1935, in Reno, Nevada to Bismark and Eula (Berry) Walther. He was raised and attended school in the Reno and then Northport, Washington where he graduated from high school. He helped out on the family farm and following his high school graduation he served with the US Air Force.
On August 19, 1955, he was married to Vivian Zeman in Kenmore, Washington. They were divorced in 1984.
Jerry had resided in Idaho, Alaska and Washington. He worked in area cedar mills and as an iron worker in the greater Grays Harbor area, working on the construction of the Hoquiam High School and during the early 1980s on the Cowlitz Fish Hatchery. From about 1985 to 1997 he had worked on fishing boats out of Alaska. During the 1970s he had serviced as a reserve officer for the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office.
His travels had taken him about the greater Northwest, including trips back to Northport and into Idaho. He ventured all about the area following baseball and other sporting events of his grandkids as well as adult friends and relatives.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, blackberry and mushroom picking, clam digging and rock hounding.
Jerald is survived by; a son, Jerald Cory Walther of Taholah; four daughters, Juanita Christine “Chris” Smith of Montesano, Robbin Zembal of the Wishkah Valley, Rhonda Sawyers of Puyallup and Kimberly Dawn Kelly of Perry, Ohio; a brother, Reese “Buzz” Walther of Idaho; five sisters, Marion Walther, Juanita Ramsay, Sharon Jenkins and Kay Deonier all in Idaho and Gloria Robbin in Nevada; 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three grandsons, Patrick Allen Zamora, Cory Paul Walther and Jared Ryan Walther, one great grandson, Isaac Allen Quintero and a companion, Carol Shewey of Ketchikan, Alaska.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at the Wishkah Valley Church, 4281 Wishkah Road, with Pastor Jim Edgell officiating.
Arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on-line register at www.colemanmortuary.net
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