On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, Gerald “Jerry” Bumbalough, loving husband and father of three, passed away at the age of 80. He was born March 24, 1938, son of Robert Arvel Bumbalough and Helen Matilda Bumbalough.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Paulette Bumbalough, daughters Kapi’olani (Reynaldo) Garcia, Kealoha (John) Alonzo, Leilani (Ulis) Mendoza, his grandchildren, Rey, Kapena, Branden, Ke’ala, Mahina, Malia, Kalena, Kelsey, Ka-nani, Johana, Kaleb, Michael, Keira, Nalani, JJ, and great-grandchildren, Keali’i, Keahilani, Keanu, Kalani, Kai, Jaxson and Kekoa and many additional family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert, his mother, Helen, his sister, Karen and his brother Bob.
Gerald, best known as “Jerry”, was born in Detroit Michigan. He graduated from Eastland High School in Roseville Michigan and in 1959 enlisted in the Army where he served for 20 years. During this time, he was stationed in Korea, Hawaii and California and fought bravely in the Vietnam War. It was during his time stationed in Hawaii in 1973 that he met Paulette after mutual friends introduced them. They were married that same year and remained in Hawaii until being stationed at Fort Ord California. His final tour was at Fort Ord where he retired as First Sergeant in 1979.
Monterey County would remain their home where they raised 3 daughters. Following retirement, he started a career with the US Post Office in 1981 where he worked for 20 years, retiring as the Spreckles Postmaster in 2001. While Jerry was in the military, he developed a passion for Martial Arts, earning a blackbelt in Karate. In retirement he followed this passion once again, studying the art of Tai Chi Chih and became a Certified Instructor in 2005. He loved Golfing with friends and in 1994 got a hole in one at the Salinas Fairway.
Jerry was a hardworking, devoted, disciplined man. He loved God. He loved his Family. He loved his Country. He instilled the importance of making memories with his children, whether it was at the beach camping in his orange VW camper pop-up, road trips in the RV or winter trips to the snow, enjoying each other, and the outdoors, was an important part of the standards he set for raising a family. His grandchildren were among his greatest joys particularly when it came time for storytelling.
Jerry loved to share tales of times on the farm, scuba diving and body surfing in Hawaii, serving in the military and his love of martial arts. There was always a lesson to be taught and an experience to gain knowledge from and he found joy in sharing it. He was a true patriot and would often engage in hours of conversation with his Grandsons who had joined the military, talking about what it meant to serve your country and to be an American. A man of many colors, red white and blue represented him best.
We will miss his guidance, his sense of humor, his stories and his unconditional love.
The family would like to thank friends and family for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. Most of all, thank you for sharing the wonderful memories of his amazing life. Any memorial donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church.
A Celebration of life will be held on Thursday, March 28th, at 10 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 Canal St. King City.
Arrangements were entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com .
