Celebration of Life: Jerry Coryell, 1953 – 2024

Provided.

Jerry Coryell.

My cousin Jerry in his prime was the quintessential lanky blonde-haired, blue-eyed surfer from any scene of the "Endless Summer." The first born son to Clyde "Bud" Coryell and Charlene "Charky" Coryell; Charky's family came from Tennessee via Arkansas and Bud's from the Dakotas with a Cherokee DNA in the mix. Think Southern Baptist meets Cherokee warrior, and he was conflicted before he knew how to ride a bike. Yet, from all outward appearances the family home in San Clemente was straight from the days of Ozzie and Harriet and picket fences. None of us knew the phyco-babble world that was to be presented to us by Purple Haze, Vietnam, Watergate, Money for Nothin' and MTV, Jerry never wanted to dig that deep, that wasn't his style. He was the easy going, take it or leave it chill out personality type and it fit him.

He learned the carpentry business from his father and was a journeyman class tradesman. He could skillfully craft any deck design, frame any house and work his magic alone. He was respected for his work ethic and craftsmanship, and loved tremendously by his family. Somewhere in the tapestry of his life were echoes and conflicts that lead to the stress that killed him.

May his Christian soul be in Heaven with Jesus and may his Cherokee spirit roam the deer trails, creek paths and mountain sides of the Tehachapi's in each of the four seasons. That is how I want him to be remembered by those he touched with his love, his talent and his grace. At my aunt Marie's Celebration of life he asked me to do this. I hope he's at peace beside his favorite stream wondering why I said so little about such a great guy.

He is survived by his three sons: Jason, Joshua and Joel; his mother Charlene and a long list of relatives and friends.

As the winter has settled in upon us, rest in peace Jerry.