JEROME "JERRY" GERDE

Jerome "Jerry" Gerde, 70, of Panama City, passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2013. He was born April 22, 1942 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Clifford & Miriam Gerde. He served in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam War. Jerry was a 1965 graduate of Duke Law School. He was an attorney for Johnston, Harris, Gerde & Associates. In 1988, he defended the Black Island "Little People" and in 1991, he served as Commodore for the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club. He was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court as an attorney and counselor. Jerry was a member of the Bay County Republican Executive Committee and served as a Republican State Committeeman. He was the founder and board member for the American Spectator and was currently the precinct committeeman for his precinct. He was also a member of the Florida Bar, the Audubon Society, the Legal and Specialization and Education Committee, and was an honorary member of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans. He was a co-founder for the Bay County Conservancy and founder and co-chairman for the first St. Andrew Bay Legal Clinic. Jerry served over 33 years as the attorney for the Beach Mosquito Control District. He was preceded in death by his brother, Lee S. Gerde. He is survived by his wife, Martha Alfred Gerde; one brother; two nieces, Virginia and Hope; and one nephew, Eric. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1 – 2 p.m. prior to the service. Those desiring may make memorial donations to the Bay County Conservancy, Panama City Music Association or to the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club Charitable Fund in memory of Jerry Gerde.

Wilson Funeral Home