Gerald L. Bolyard

Gerald L. "Jerry" Bolyard 1939 – 2020

God has been so faithful to our family and answered so many prayers, but on May 21, 2020, He decided it was time for Jerry to rest from his labors of heart disease and come home.

If you were lucky….you knew him. If you knew him….you loved him, and loving him….you will forever miss him.

Jerry was born to the late Clarence and Mary (nee Wise) Bolyard on March 31, 1939.

He was a graduate of Suffield High School in 1957. Retired from Goodyear Rubber Company after 41 years of service, only missing three weeks of work in all that time.

Jerry was a man of character, a true gentleman and of few words with a great work ethic and could fix anything without looking it up on YouTube. His wood working and anything he worked on, was perfection. He loved golfing with all his buddies and brother-in-law, Ron Stayer, working in his immaculate mowed yard and gardening. He always had horses and his favorites were the Appaloosas. He loved traveling with his wife, Betty (they made it to all 49 states and always sat together in their "big butt" chair watching TV). Jerry enjoyed playing cards with his brothers and sisters at their once-a-month get-togethers, making everyone laugh. He was an avid Cleveland Indians, Cavaliers and Browns fan. He was the perfect PAPAW and loved his grandchildren, always guiding them and instilling in them values in life and passing down his skills. If he was President of the USA, I guarantee you our national debt would be wiped out in four years. He was a 100% Chevrolet guy, collecting many cars over the years. He had the best sense of humor, the sweetest sexiest smile, was kind, understanding, never judging anyone, very patient and had the hottest legs in town.

Other than his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his brother, Russell Bolyard and sister-in-law, Carol Bolyard.

How lucky our huge combined family is, that we have someone so hard to say goodbye to.

He is survived and loved by his wife, Betty, being together for 20 years. They weren't their first loves but they were their last loves.
Jerry is loving father of, Terri (Jeff) James, Vicki (Mark) Kavali, Tammi Eader, Sherri (Rolando) Pizana; step-daughters, Christine (David) Bailey, Julie Holman and step-son, Jeff (Connie) Kunkle. Jerry said if he ever had a son, he would want him to be just like Jeff, he called him his "Neph-Son".
He was a cherished grandpa and PAPAW of 22 grandkids and 26 great-grandkids. Jerry was a caring brother to Gene (friend, Jan Maglaughlin) Bolyard, Marilyn (Paul) Linamen, Gayle McElwain, Shirley (Ron) Stayer and Bud (Carolyn) Bolyard.

Jerry also had best friends, Dave and Linda Curfman, Tom and Vada Holman and Larry and Vicki Larson, and their 12 pack plus 2 friends, golf buddies and his classmates from 1957, and a host of other friends and family.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jason Smith and the Summa Team and Cleveland Clinic Hospice Team for their encouragement and loving care.

There will be no services due to Covid-19. Jerry will be cremated and there will be a private graveside service for the family at Hillside Memorial Park, Akron.

A celebration of his life will be planned at a later date.

In memory of Jerry, hug your family close to you and tell them you love them. His memory and legacy of character will be forever in our hearts…three kisses and goodbye.

All arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Newcomer Funeral Home, Akron.