Gearald "Jerry" Michael Wetsch was the true definition of a family man. Always caring and loving of his wife, kids and grandkids, sister, and everyone in their circle.

Gearald was born April 20, 1949 in Mandan, North Dakota to the late Michael and Rose Bullinger-Wetsch. Gearald was a watchful big brother to his younger sister, Darlene. He loved riding the tractor around the family farm. While in high school, Gearald worked at the local grocery store, Red Owl Groceries; soon realizing that he wanted more from life, he joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school in 1968 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, before spending a few years overseas, working as a U.S. Navy medic during Vietnam where he

earned the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 stars, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After returning home Gearald moved to southern California, where in 1968, he went on a spur of the moment blind date to Mount Baldy with his soon to be love of his life, Peggy Brink. They married June 26, 1971 at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Los Angeles, California. From this union, their two beloved children were born, Brian and Lynette. For almost 51 years, Gearald and Peggy taught their children the true meaning of love, marriage and partnership. They remained in southern California until Peggy retired and moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas in 2016 to be near their daughter and her family.

Gearald had a very long and successful career with University of California, Irvine Medical Center for nearly 40 years up until he finally retired in 2011. Gearald worked his way up from a groundskeeper and ultimately retired as the Senior Project Director for the Planning, Design & Construction Department of UCIMC. He was fully involved with the construction of their current hospital facility, not retiring until after the build was complete. He was beloved and respected by not just his coworkers, but by his vendors and contractors he managed. Gearald's young son Brian would spend hours at his work looking through blueprints of his projects, which kindled his son's interest to become an architect. Once Brian became a design professional, he would have

numerous interactions with vendors his father previously worked with and they would always pause and ask…'Wetsch…are you related to Jerry?" "Oh I loved working with him!"

Remembered as a man with the biggest heart, Gearald claimed every friend of Brian and Lynette's as his own child. There was never a time when you were not welcomed into the Wetsch home, fed, or offered a place to rest. Going to great lengths to spoil his grandchildren, Gearald and his grandson, Tyler, would often have many weekends together where they would dine at Charlie's for the 'huge' burrito (never shared of course) or a Saturday morning breakfast at Flappy Jacks.

As an avid craftsman, Gearald was always building something; from peg boards to remodels. He always had to keep himself busy, often forgoing his own projects to take care of someone else's. He once converted his neighbor's, Bud, garage into a family room and also built him a

backyard shed, ground-up, where it became Bud's little sanctuary.

Gearald passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at the age of 74; preceded by his wife Peggy, just 10-1/2 months prior.

Left to honor his memory and legacy are Gearald's son, Brian (Carrie) Wetsch, daughter, Lynette (Cory) Starr, sister, Darlene (Harold) Brenden, grandchildren Tyler Wetsch, Dessie Utley and Emily Starr, his nieces Kimbery and Kristina and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and

friends, as well as his faithful companion, Scooter.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to clubtwentyone.org or spinabifidaassociation.org .