Gerald Arthur Wright passed away peacefully at home in Ledgewood Beach, Coupeville, on Dec. 31, 2011, at age 64, with his wife, Jan, and their sons, David and Brian, by his side.

Gerald, known to friends as Jerry, grew up in Burlingame and San Mateo, Calif., where he met Jan; last summer they celebrated their 43rd anniversary. After service in the Navy, Jerry worked much of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area for United Airlines. He retired after his diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, and moved to Whidbey Island in 2007 where he was a gourmet cook, active with friends and neighbors, continued traveling, designed and was involved in building his own home, all while valiantly participating in a long series of cancer treatments and investigational studies at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. He was a dedicated co-worker, a caring neighbor; a trusted friend; a beloved father, grandfather and husband.

A memorial service will be held for Jerry at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. The family would appreciate donations to the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation in lieu of flowers.