Jerry Emmons Obituary (1938 - 2025)

Jerry Wayne Emmons passed into his eternal home on September 28, 2025 at the age of 87. He was born January 25, 1938 to William Oscar Emmons and Ada Hooten Emmons in Eufaula, Oklahoma. In 1939, the family moved to the Casa Grande area of Arizona, then in 1941, to Bakersfield, California. In 1957, he met and married Nancy Hartley. Over the next four years, Nancy and Jerry added two daughters, Barbara and Rebekah to the family. In 1963 he moved the family to Eureka, California. There, Jerry completed a Masters degree in Speech and Communications. He began teaching at College of the Redwoods in 1970 and retired from the college in 2000 after completing his last year as Interim Dean of Arts and Humanities. In 2007, after living in Eureka 43 years, Jerry and Nancy moved to SaddleBrooke. Jerry, who loved playing golf, appreciated the warm weather in Arizona, where he could play almost every day, unlike the coastal coolness and rain in Eureka. Jerry began playing golf in his 20's and convinced Nancy to learn so they could travel and play golf, and through much of the 25 years of retirement, they played together. Jerry was also a woodworker. He built cabinets, bookshelves, entertainment centers, desks and whatever he thought a grandchild would want. Jerry ran two Avenue of the Giants marathons in Humboldt County in 1979 and 1980 after his recovery from injuries from a small plane crash. Jerry was a student of the Bible and taught classes during most of his life whenever he had the opportunity. His study journals are filled with spiritual insights that the family will treasure. Jerry is survived by his wife Nancy. They were married 68 years. He is also survived by two daughters, Barbara Morse (Greg), Rebekah Hubler (Chuck), five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, as well as his sister, Christine Dewbre, and numerous nieces and nephews and many special friends, who will treasure their memories of him.