Gerald Pitsch: April, 1, 1936 – January, 9, 2026

Gerald Earl Pitsch, 89, of Oak Harbor, Washington, passed away peacefully at Regency on Whidbey Memory Care on January 9th, 2026, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Jerry was born on April 1st, 1936 in Sheridan Wyoming. His hometown was Ucross, WY, and he graduated from Clearmont High School, Clearmont, WY in 1954. He joined the Navy In January 1955 and spent his 20 years of service working on jet airplanes as a mechanic. During his years in the Navy, he crossed paths with a farm girl from Kansas in April of 1957, Elvera Unruh, and describes their meeting as planned by the Lord. After dating a few months, they got married on January 24, 1958. Early on, they moved several places across the country due to Navy transfers, for example Corpus Chisti, Texas where their daughter was born in 1959, but eventually settled in Oak Harbor, Washington where their two sons were born in 1960 and 1962. They quickly found a church in Oak Harbor, Concordia Lutheran Church, and have been members ever since then, where Jerry served in leadership and maintenance.

Jerry’s passions included exploring the San Juan Islands by boat with his family; camping, fishing and hiking. After retirement from the Navy, he expanded his passion for boating to include working at Flowers Marine and starting his own business, Island Charters, to take others boating and fishing. He also developed a passion for working with rocks and semi-precious stones; collecting, carving, polishing and making keepsakes for family members. He had a curiosity and appreciation for rock formation, shapes and colors. Throughout his life, he kept time with family a priority and made opportunities to share the importance of his faith to them.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents Alex Pitsch (2002) and Leora Mathew Pitsch (2006), and two siblings Nelda Simonson (2019) and Leland Pitsch (2020).

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elvera Unruh Pitsch; his children Kristine Pitsch-Weible (Robert Weible), Neal Pitsch (Dawn), and Terry Pitsch (Christie); his grandchildren Amanda Pitsch (Nick Shively), Jason Pitsch (Jessica), Nicole Ibrahim (Ahmed), Lyssa Weible, Garrett Pitsch, Caitlin Pitsch and William Pitsch; his great grandchildren Asher Pitsch, Reuben Pitsch, Zeina Ibrahim and Fairouz Ibrahim; his siblings Doris Schuman (George), Curtis Pitsch, Patricia Ogan and Peter Pitsch (Madeleine).

A funeral service will be held Friday January 23rd at 11 :00 AM at Concordia Lutheran Church, located at 590 N. Oak Harbor St., Oak Harbor WA 98277.

The burial service will be held Friday January 23rd at 2:30 PM at Sunnyside Cemetery, located at 90 Cemetery Road, Coupeville WA 98239.

Donations may be made in Jerry’s memory to either of the following:

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 47, Oak Harbor WA

Parkinson’s Foundation