Obituary of Jerald Gene Eakles

Jerald (Jerry) Eakles 1934-2011 Jerry, 77 years old, passed away on March 21, 2011 at a local convalescent hospital after a short illness. Jerry was born on Mark 14, 1934 in Olathe , Kansas to Jerald (Curly) Eakles and Mildred (Peewee) nee Miller Eakles of Kansas. His parents moved to Lodi when Jerry was a child. He attended local grade schools and graduated from Lodi Union High School in 1952. Jerry also graduated from Stockton College in 1962 with an A.A. degree. Jerry served his country when he joined the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956. He was a mechanic on B-26's while stationed in Europe . Jerry worked as a bartender for several years and then went to work at Lakewood Drugs for 19 years before retiring at age 62. Jerry then became an onsite manager at Chestnut Arms Apts. for 15 years and a total of 34 years working for two of his best friends Nick & Dolores Spanos. Jerry also leaves behind his grade school and high school best friends Bill & Ruth Brown and Bud & Pat Wakefield plus many more lifetime friends. He was like an uncle to Nick & Chris Spanos while they were growing up. All the younger generation called him uncle JerJer or just JerJer. He was the spitting image of his Dad and he truly loved his Dad & Mom. Jerry absolutely loved going out to dinner with his friends and to lunches with friends and fellow classmates on a monthly basis. Jerry was so full of life and he had a loud and fun laugh that was uniquely his and was very contagious. He was a avid reader, loving history books and football games and horse racing. He will truly be missed by all. Friends are invited to attend funeral services 11:00am, Thursday, March 24, 2011 at Rocha's Mortuary, 215 S. School St . , Lodi . Visitation: Wednesday, 10:00am-4:00pm. Committal: Lodi Memorial Cemetery , 5750 E. Pine St . , Lodi .