Gerald Ralph Girod

Gerald (Jerry) Ralph Girod was born on October 21, 1939 in Salem, Oregon to Theodore (Ted) Roosevelt Girod and Ruby June Girod (Orey). Jerry was an only child raised on a hop farm at Mission Bottom north of Keizer surrounded by cousins from numerous aunts and uncles. Ted Girod played professional baseball for the Salem Senators and passed his love of the game to his son who would ride his bicycle from Clear Lake School to the local country schools arranging baseball games against other rural communities. His prized childhood possession was a glove autographed by local legend, Bill Beard, that painfully slipped and disappeared from his handlebars on a backcountry ride.

Jerry met and married Linda Lee Hueller at Oregon College of Education (OCE) on March 16, 1962 and raised three sons including Jeff (Megan), Chris (Diedre) and Mark (Tanna). Their home was a place of jovial dinners and endless competitions in made-up sports like blood basketball, knee football, foot races and high jumping in the backyard. Jerry played slow-pitch softball with a gang of locals for 30 years continuing to call these teammates friends and joyfully reminiscing about warm evenings racing around the bases. He was an avid fan and supporter of his kids' sport teams and coached many MIKI (Monmouth Independence Kids Incorporated) baseball teams. Jerry and Linda recently celebrated their 64th anniversary.

Jerry graduated from North Salem High School and served in the Army National Guard at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas before returning to enroll at OCE. He taught at Englewood Elementary School before earning a doctorate in education from Washington State University and joining the faculty at OCE in 1964 as a professor of elementary education. Jerry was a gifted teacher and rose through the faculty ranks retiring as Dean of the College of Education in 1995. Many of his students went on to become lifelong educators, principals, and superintendents across the state.

Jerry leaves a legacy and loving family including his wife Linda, three sons, eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Contributions in his name can be made to the Panther Club supporting Central High School activities at PO Box 84, Independence, OR 97351.