Gerald (Jerry) J. Nootenboom Jr.

Jerry Nootenboom was born in Artesia, California on March 5th, 1953, to Patricia Mae Sease and Gerald James Nootenboom. He fondly remembered his days in California by going barefoot, skateboarding in his neighborhood, surfing and picking fruit, especially avocados, right off the tree.

His dad’s new position managing the dairy on Sherman Farm, Whidbey Island, brought the family to Washington when Jerry was 14 years old. He worked the crops and turkey farm in high school and served at Class President at Coupeville High School. Jerry loved football and made quite a name for himself, which brought him to Aberdeen after earning a scholarship to play for the Chokers at Grays Harbor Community College from 1972 through 1974. There, he met the love of his life, Darcel Christensen, and they married in 1975.

In June of that year, Jerry accepted a position with the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Department. In the late 80s, Jerry accepted a position at Montesano Police Department where he served as a D.A.R.E. officer, working with school children to help them say “no to drugs.” He really enjoyed working in the schools. Eventually, he combined his love of football and working with kids to coach Montesano Junior High football. In 1989, Jerry left the police department due to an on-the-job disability and started a legal support company, PaperChase, changing the name to Grays Harbor Legal Process, before selling and retiring in 2016. He and his wife lived in Montesano for 47 years before moving to Port Orchard in 2022.

Jerry loved camping (favorite parks: Mossyrock & Twanoh), cooking enchiladas, Mariner games (Terrace Club), beer brewing with Grayson, houseboat vacation on Lake Rosevelt, eastern Washington wine tasting trips (even though he preferred Coors), Pink Floyd (known to karaoke wih Terra “Wish You Were Here”), science fiction & fantasy movies (often quoting, “You shall not pass” from Lord of the Rings.

In Honor of Jerry, please listen to one of his favorite songs!

Jerry is survived by his wife, Darcel Nootenboom; his son, Grayson Nootenboom (and Lisa Cantore); his daughter, Terra Nootenboom (and Andrew Patterson); his brothers Larry and Rick Nootenboom plus cousins and nephews.