Jerry’s Story:
Jerry arrived in West Palm Beach Florida on June 14, 1943, to parents Jerry Sr and Yvonne Peterson. After several years the family moved to Kansas City, Mo, where he lived ever since.
He went to Southwest High School and graduated in 1961.
It was during high school that his love of cars began when he souped up a 1955 way cool Chevy. He and his buddies spent many hours under the hood, and at the drag strip.
In later teen years, he acquired an old 1952 Jaguar in need of some serious tlc. He spent countless hours nurturing and restoring it. When it was finally done, he entered it in the prestigious car show, Concours d’ Elegance, and was rewarded with a blue ribbon and trophy.
His recent favorite car is a 1996 F355 Spider yellow Ferrari, an interest he shared with his son-in-law Lou. He painstakenly restored every detail and took great pride in bringing it back to “perfect”. It now sits, clean and shiny, protected by its own form fitting cover.
Somewhere along the line he developed a keen interest in the universe of high end stereo and listening to beautiful music. He acquired exquisite, elite stereo equipment and enjoyed a small circle of fellow stereo buffs who became very dear friends.
This was a hobby that fed his soul.
Before he moved to Lees Summit Mo, where he had lived all his later years, he lived in a picturesque A-frame house at Lake Lotawana Mo and enjoyed boating and all the various water sports. His parents had moved to the Lake also, and there were many, many happy times at the lake .He took great pride in developing the landscaping around his property, and many times boaters would applaud as they passed by.
It was his desire to someday own a lake house again, and in 2017 he finally realized his dream. It was a very unique home with a lighthouse attached, sitting on its own private peninsula, a setting that Jerry loved. This time, boaters would wait to hear the infamous lighthouse fog horn before happily passing by. He shared many enjoyable trips to his dream house with a dear friend and with family.
His lifelong career began early as an apprentice for an architectural firm. They soon recognized his budding brilliance and natural aptitudes, and took great interest in teaching and mentoring him. Eventually he became a full fledged licensed architect and structural engineer. Through the years he worked for several firms and eventually landed at Ellerbe Becket, where he worked the better part of 20 years and retired from there with honors in 2011. Ellerbe Becket restored, designed, and built arenas and sports stadiums around the country – Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden, Lambeau Field, Seattle Sea Hawks – to name just a few. His pride and joy was Lambeau Field in Green Bay Wisconsin since he was the principle designer. So next time you watch the Green Bay Packers play football at home, proudly think of Jerry.
In early March, Jerry told us that it was soon time for him to “go home”.
His journey was just as he had wanted. In his own lovely home. In his own 4 post bed. Surrounded by loving family.
He is survived by his devoted caregiver and mother of his children, Lillyan Peterson Storm; his daughters, Angela Nunez, Sherri Boyer and husband Lou; grandchildren Luke Nunez, Chance and Cirrus Boyer; his sister, Gail Osbourn and husband George; his niece Heather Faudel and her children, Karli, Joe, and Karli’s husband Kyle.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145 or American Cancer Society, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105
Our feelings for Jerry are unspeakable.
We loved him so much.
We will miss him so much.
He left us with a little smile, and we know that he is joyous now,
home at last.
March 10, 2019, 7:11 pm
Great article. It was easy to relate to
So sad it is like losing a brother
For years we were together almost every day
Thanks for including me See you soon
He enjoyed remembering all of the fun times the two of you had Harvey. Recently we both got a good laugh remembering how you came to help us get a tire off the car in the middle of the night between Lawrence and K.C. He remarked what a great friend you were for doing that and how amazed he was that you did that. He loved you Harvey!
An inspiration to everyone who knew him. Funny, intelligent, and charismatic. His life was unfortunately cut short. He will be missed.
I love my Dad very, very much, my son and I miss him so much, we know he is now an angel watching over us from Heaven with our stepdad, and grandparents!!❤
My heart is truly saddened by your departure. I will smile remembering all the great times we spent together. The lake, the pool, talking about cars, the late night Taco Bell runs, etc. I know you’re not too far away as you’re in my thoughts every day.
I consider myself truly blessed to have known you Jerry, and I will miss the times we spent together.
To all of you eho are dealing with the grief of loss, our condolences are for you. Jerry was a go getter in life and I am positive there are lots of great memories left behind. Much love to esch of you.
Paul and Wynne Peterson, Lillyan is my dear cousin.
Tears roll down my cheeks reading everyone’s thoughts on my Dad.❤️ He was such a special man and I’m so blessed to have called him Dad. I will cherish every memory I spent with him. There are so many. I love him so much and he left me and Ang quite a torch to carry on his legacy. Thank you Dady for being the amazing father, friend, Architect and hero to all that were blessed to know you. You are now our Hero in Heaven.???☺️✨?
I am so sad and disappointed to hear of Jerry’s passing. We ran around together in high school, but as is often the case, fell out of touch when planning our 50th High School Reunion. I spoktwith him several times on the phone. It was just like old times! I will now think of him more often! Rest In Peace in show car heaven!
Jerry, was one of a kind and who could forget that beautiful red 55 Chev; Every time I see one in a car show I think of Jerry and the good times we had in high school.
A truly nice person.
Harvey, sorry to hear about, Jerry. He was a special guy. John R. Taylor
We were J.C. Nichols “kids.” We messed around a great deal on the playground and at one point developed our own secret written language. His intellect and talents remain unmatched by others . . . . the Green Bay venue does not surprise me !
I am shocked I am just hearing about this today. Jerry and i were close friends for many years. i haven’t seen him much last 5 or 6 years except here and there and at our reunions. Jerry and i were roommates at KU (for a short time) and at college in Warrensburg. We bought our first house from he and Lillilan on 72nd Terr.Jerry and i rebuilt several cars together, most notably his 1951 Jaguar 120.. tore it to the frame and built it up to (brand new) over one summer to its original condition. I have had a picture ofit his Dad took of the finished product..I still have it on my office wall.We last saw him several years ago at a Southwest alum get together get at Jim Kohls. The was the last time I saw him and had not heard anything of him being ill. Our condolences to Lilliyan, Sherry and Angela. We had some good times together!!!
All the fun memories are whirling in my head. Girls & Gail I’m so sorry for your loss. Saw Jerry about 2 yrs ago over at Kohl’s house. I know Mary Pat and Kohl tried to reach him when we another get together in 2018 when Spence died. The Kizer’s and the Peterson’s were pretty tight we were first married. Loved listening to the music at your house on Lamar. Thoughts and prayers for all. RIP Jerry!
As a neighbor of Jerry we want to express our heartfelt sympathy in his
passing. He will be missed.
I’m without enough words to express how much respect and admiration we hold for our friend and mentor. Jerry was a brilliant man. We will miss him. Our hearts are broken.
I was shocked to her of Jerry’s passing but know that he was a private man. I met Jerry while working at Ellerbe Becket then worked with more closely when it became AECOM. I enjoyed listening to his stories of his family and especially of his sister when they were young over lunch. Jerry will truly be missed by all and I am so happy that I got the pleasure of knowing him.
God rest his soul!
Delice Hill
Absolutely Beautiful!