Jerald "Jerry" Gershon Obituary (2008)

Jerald “Jerry” Gershon of Overland Park, KS died October 19, 2008. Jerry was born in Kansas City, MO on January 16, 1924. He was the son of the late Samuel and Ruth Gershon. He graduated from Paseo High School and received his B.S.B.A. degree from Washington University and immediately went to Notre Dame to obtain his naval training earning his Ensign commission in the US Navy. Jerry served 2 1/2 years in the Navy in the Pacific Theatre aboard an L.S.T. and was a Lt. J.G. by the end of World War II. He went into business with his uncle to form Chemical Commodities, Inc. a company that was in the government surplus business. Jerry owned and was president of this company for 40 years until his retirement. He also owned and then sold two large veterinary pharmaceutical companies — Vet Products Corp. and Curts Laboratories, specializing in animal pharmaceutical products. Jerry was very proud and fully devoted in his service as the Greater Kansas City Chairman of Israel Bonds for 7 years; at a time when these bonds were required to build infrastructure in the State of Israel during its formative years. Recognizing these efforts, in 1971, Jerry was honored with the prestigious Ben Gurion award. He received many other awards and commendations for his work on Israel’s behalf recognizing his dedication and the outstanding results he achieved in fund raising efforts for this cause so important to him. Active in Kehilath Israel Synagogue for many years he was elected as Treasurer and Vice President. For the past sixty years, Jerry chanted the Haftorah on Shemini Atzeret at KI, honoring the memory of his father. In 2007, he celebrated his Second Bar Mitzvah on his 83rd birthday. He was also a member of The Temple Congregation B’nai Jehudah and Beth Shalom Synagogue. An active golfer in earlier years he was a member of Meadowbrook Country Club for over 50 years. Among his many activities he treasured his membership in the Jewish Community Center, the American Legion, the American Chemical Society and was one of the few men that was an Associate of Hadassah. He served on the board of the Jewish Home for the Aged, now named Village Shalom. Jerry was a volunteer in surgery waiting at Menorah Hospital for nearly 7 years and in the gift shop at Village Shalom. He loved card games of all types and became an avid bridge player. Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife of 41 years Hortense Joy Kahn whom he met while they both attended Washington University in St. Louis. In 1988 he married Frances Wang, a childhood and life long friend, who died in 2007. Jerry is survived and will be missed by his daughter and son-in-law Susan and Steve Osman, and his son and daughter-in-law Steve and Janet Gershon of Overland Park, KS., and daughter Sharon Gershon of Rockville, MD. He had nine grandchildren: Andrew Osman and Deborah Feder, Dan and Lindsey Osman, Lauren Osman, Lindsay Gershon, Bobby Gershon, Tim Gershon and Misha Gershon; Jerry also had two great grandchildren, Isabella and Elliott Osman. He will be fondly remembered by his step-children Michael Klein, Bari and Dr. Floyd Freiden and Philip Klein, his step-grandchildren Jonathan and Rebecca Freiden, Seth and Robyn Freiden, and two step-great grandchildren, Alexandra and Jonah Freiden. He was preceded in death by his sister Eunice Ruben and her husband Ben Ruben and brother Bill Gershon and his wife Florence Gershon. Jerry is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Herbert and Vicki Gershon and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jerry was a quiet and gentle man with a kindness that endeared all those fortunate enough to have come in contact with him. He charmed everyone with his humorous personality and quiet demeanor. Constantly smiling and with a laugh that made everyone feel good, he counted “the immediate world” as his close friend. Memorial services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Monday October 20, 2008 at the Louis Memorial Chapel located at 6830 Troost Avenue. Burial at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Kehilath Israel Synagogue, The Temple Congregation B’nai Jehudah, Village Shalom, Kansas City Hospice or to a charity of your choice.