Jerome Francis Zeutzius

Jerome Francis Zeutzius

July 26, 1928 - April 16, 2024

Jerome Francis Zeutzius (Jerry), Major, USAF Retired, was taken home to be with our Lord Jesus on April 16, 2024 in Ridgecrest, CA due to natural causes.

Jerry was born July 26, 1928 in Washington, D.C., to George H. and Cecilia (Timmers) Zeutzius of Green Bay, WI. The oldest of five children, the family moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1943. After graduating from Loyola High School, he earned his bachelor's degree in English from Loyola University on a music scholarship and joined the Air Force the day after he graduated. He fought in Korea and served for 30+ years, active duty and reserves. Jerry always hoped to be the oldest living Korean war veteran but was happy for any veteran who was alive as long as or even longer than him. He was proud to be a life member of the VFW Post 4084.

After Korea, he worked for Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA, the Naval Ordinance Test Station (NOTS) / Naval Weapons Center (NWC) in China Lake, CA. One of his most notable career choices was working for and with the Paiute/Shoshone Native Americans of the Owens Valley, helping to establish healthcare facilities, amongst other accomplishments.

In 1955, Jerry married his love Wilma Ferrari and they raised four children. They moved to Lone Pine, CA in June of 1970 where they resided for 43 years. Jerry frequented Lone Pine in his teenage years. He loved the mighty Sierra's, Owens Valley and Lone Pine. Jerry was a historian and learned all he could about this great valley.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 68 years, Wilma, his sister Katherine Rogers, sisters-in-law Elinor Zeutzius (née Poehls) and Kathryn Zeutzius (née Guthrie), children Linda Carlson (Ron), Lisa Olsen (Bob), Corinne Duquet (Gary), Karl and Tiffany (née Joyce), grandchildren Bobby, Anneliese, Lauren, Michael, Ryan and Leah and countless wonderful nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Cecilia, sister Grace Ann Bates and her husband Tom, brothers George Jr., and WIlliam (Bill), and his nephew Bruce Bates.

A Funeral Mass at Santa Rosa Catholic Church in Lone Pine, CA and burial at Mt. Whitney Cemetery, will be announced at a later time.

We love you Dad, rest in peace.