Gerald "Jerry" Kowitz (age 88)
Jerry Kowitz passed away August 25, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona after a gradual decline in health.
Jerry was born June 20, 1932 in Tallulah, Louisiana to Clarence Kowitz and Gladys Hoagland. Jerry grew up in Minnesota and after a brief Army tour in Germany, he married Kathleen Murn in 1956. They had two children, Lesley and Chad. Jerry crafted his skill working as a Union Commercial Carpenter and custom home builder in ND. and Anoka before making a home on a small hobby farm outside Foley, MN. Here he raised beef cattle, crop farmed, and continued to build homes while working at the NSP Power plant in Monticello.
Jerry moved to Arizona in 1975 and established his life while working for Bechtel Construction Co. at Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant in Buckeye, AZ. He later married Dianna Wilson. They enjoyed traveling in their motorhome throughout the United States and back to Minnesota for the summer months. They loved their lake home in Richmond, MN, spending time with family and friends. He leaves his creative talent of quality custom building of large homes on "Lookout Mountain" in AZ.
Jerry liked cooking, fishing, classic cars, gardening, and jewelry design. His ability to share experiences and tell stories, including his famous sound effects was admired to all that would listen.⁰
Jerry leaves behind his wife, Dianna; two children, Lesley Kowitz of St. Cloud, MN and Chad Kowitz of Tempe, AZ; Stepdaughter Karen (Dave) Peters. FL and grandchildren - Cory, Aaron, Kelcey, Josh, Katelyn, Santina, Michael and Macey; 6 great grandchildren; brother DeWayne (Sharon) Eberhardt; sister Judy (Lonnie) Cagle of St. Cloud, MN; many cherished nieces and nephews; He is also survived by longtime endeared friend, Bob Stika of Salem Oregon. Mike Bulger, Phoenix AZ.
Preceded in the death of his parents, brother James H. Kowitz; sisters Sandra Malinowski and Judy (Darwin) Vangeest.
Services will be held Tuesday September 22, 2020 at 10:00 am at National Memorial Cemetery
23029 North Cave Creek Road
Phoenix AZ 85024
No flowers permitted
He will be greatly missed & forever remembered.
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