Jerry Norman Lanphere passed away on May 26, 2010 at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Jerry was born March 2, 1945 in Anacortes, to Earl Lanphere and Bernice Fountain.

He graduated from Coupeville High School and studied nursing at Skagit Valley College.

Jerry served his country with honor in the United States Army and as a Navy civil servant for 26 years. In addition to his military experience he worked with the U.S. Forest Service and as a nurse at Northern State and Whidbey General hospitals.

Jerry was a dedicated member of the Marblemount Assembly of God Church. He enthusiastically devoted his life to the service of others. In the 1980s he personally established the Lord’s Garden, a food distribution center for the needy on Whidbey Island. Jerry volunteered many hours at the Lord’s Garden, he loved growing food and helping others. A compassionate man, Jerry was constantly striving to give hope and comfort to anyone he might meet who was undergoing difficulty and suffering in life.

An avid sailor, the happiest time of Jerry’s life were the years he spent on his boat the Que Vida with his second wife Dolly and daughters Tammy and Lezlie. Jerry loved to build and repair things, and used the carpentry skills he learned from his father, his studies and life experience to build furniture, boats and even his own house. An outdoor enthusiast, Jerry was also an avid angler and enjoyed camping and motorcycling. Jerry loved to laugh and was a wonderful storyteller.

Jerry is survived by his loving family: brother, Robert (Susie) Lanphere; his only child, Tammy (Alex) Oommen; his grandchildren, Marc, Andrew and Annamarie; his loving step-daughters and families, Lezlie (Sam) Sharpe, Lynn (Chris) Berg and children; an abundance of Lanphere and Fountain cousins whom he loved dearly; and by the countless friends who were blessed to know him.

A Military Graveside Service will be held at The Sunnyside Cemetery, in Coupeville on Sunday, July 18, at 2 p.m.