Jerome Ellis Parlee passed from this life to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 23 surrounded by his loving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He was born in Rockford, Illinois on March 8, 1930 to loving parents William and Louise Parlee.  Jerry grew up in Rockford, and graduated from Beloit College in 1951 with a B.A. in Economics, where he was a devoted member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.  In the years prior, Jerry’s achievements as a young man at West High School laid the groundwork for a life of integrity and excellence in leadership and community involvement.  Boy scout, class president, “May Court” candidate, Cadet Captain of the Reserve Officers Training Corps, R.O.T.C. citizenship award recipient, delegate for the Junior Red Cross, actor in the school plays, member of the debate team, chairman of the YMCA induction committee, and National Honor Society inductee, he gained a reputation for his ambition and personal warmth that others looked up to.  Not long after graduating from college, he met and married the love of his life Phyllis Deming (Parlee), who proceeded him in death in 2016. For over sixty-years they charted a course together rich with family, friendships, career, culture, travel, civic leadership, church, and community involvement.  Jerry’s entire career was spent as a specialized sales representative for Weyerhauser Lumber, where he received countless sales awards and was eventually singled out as the top sales representative for the country.  In the communities where he raised his family, he volunteered as a Boy Scout leader, Historical Society guide, Lions Club member, and was an active member for over fifty years of First Presbyterian Church, chairing maintenance and finance committees. He even played the annual neighborhood Santa and Easter Bunny in his later years!  Jerry spread joy with his warmth and humor everywhere he resided. Most importantly, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and he dearly loved the Lord.

Jerry is survived by his two children Andrew, (wife Linka), and daughter Susan; grandchildren Charlotte, Emily, and Brian; great-grandchildren Addison and Jeremiah; niece and nephews Bonnie, Randy, and Rick.