Jeryl King Obituary

Jeryl Lynn King, affectionately known as Jerre, passed away suddenly at home on March 5, 2024, in Gresham, Oregon, at the age of 79. Born and raised in Junction City, Kansas, Jerre was the middle child of three girls. Her childhood was spent (mostly) enjoying life on the farm alongside her two sisters. Those early years included attending a one-room schoolhouse until 1956, when her family relocated to Portland, Oregon. She continued her education at Gresham Union High School before transferring and graduating with the Class of 1962 from Centennial High School.
At a young age, she married her high school sweetheart, Miles. Soon after high school, together with their young daughter Kim, they embarked on a new adventure, living in Istanbul, Turkey, for two years. When they returned to Gresham, they bought a new home. One that would become the center of Jerre's world, where she would spend the rest of her life raising a family and creating lasting memories and meaningful traditions for everyone around her. That house became a hub of celebration, where she poured her heart into making birthdays and holidays extra special. She was deeply patriotic and loved decorating her home for every holiday. Halloween costumes were always handmade, crafted with care and creativity. She delighted in greeting trick-or-treaters dressed in various costumes and masks, adding a touch of magic to the neighborhood. She was a natural at planning and pulling off memorable birthday parties for her children. Her creativity was a gift she lovingly shared with her family. It came easily and it was truly one of her best attributes.
As a devoted mother, Jerre poured her heart into raising her children, and later cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a particular fondness for babies and a natural talent for comforting them, always making sure they were cozy and comforted in her arms. Family was her greatest joy, and she traveled extensively around the country to visit them all. On every trip, she packed a swimsuit, always hopeful for the chance to relax in a welcoming hot tub. She loved a good margarita with a salted rim or an ice cold beer in a frosted glass. Jerre made it a priority never to miss special occasions such as births, graduations and weddings, treasuring each milestone. She showed up for all of them.
Her interests and hobbies were as vibrant as her personality. She had a flair for style and absolutely adored big hairstyles-Diana Ross big. With a keen eye for fashion and a passion for shopping, Jerre was often the family's personal shopper. Her determination to find the perfect item was unmatched, sometimes dedicating hours or even days to the search, rarely returning empty-handed. With her beautiful handwriting, she loved capturing her favorite quotes in worn notebooks and even on sticky notes tucked here and there. She was intrigued by UFOs, the supernatural, and all things mysterious. She loved fresh berries and watermelon, and her fruit salad was a beloved staple at family gatherings. She enjoyed spending time on the Oregon Coast, where she had her list of favorite foods to savor and loved searching for seashells and making campfires. She also enjoyed listening to talk radio, having dinner with close friends, playing board games, browsing farmers' markets, collecting Beanie Babies, cheering on Portland Trail Blazers games, listening to Cher music, indulging in National Enquirer headlines, watching late-night TV, adding to her crow collection, traveling, and engaging in what she called "fair weather" gardening. But above all else, her family remained her all-time favorite hobby.
Jerre's enthusiasm extended to the sidelines of countless sporting events, where she especially loved cheering on her children and grandchildren. Her team spirit always present in the colors or accessories she wore to show her support. Her presence on the sidelines, her encouragement, and her positive energy will be deeply missed. Jerre's faith was also an important part of her life. She was a long-time member of Gresham United Methodist Church.
In her 40s, Jerre was diagnosed with Spasmodic Dysphonia, a condition that made speaking a challenge. Determined to find a solution, she became one of the first clinical trial participants in the world to receive Botox injections in her vocal cords. These treatments gave her back her voice, and she continued receiving them as a routine procedure for the rest of her life.
Throughout the years, Jerre held several jobs while raising her children. Eventually, she chose to become a full-time homemaker. She was relatively tech-savvy for her generation, and in 2004, at age 60, she re-entered the workforce after earning a certification from Mount Hood Community College. This new chapter led her to a job she truly loved, as a patient coordinator in the emergency department at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, where she worked for nearly 15 years until retirement.
Jerre is survived by her cherished daughters and sons-in-law: Kim Weithman (Don) of Great Falls, MT; Andrea Schurg (Dennis) of Dillon, MT; April Strazza (Ralph) of Wilton, CT; and Jessica McGowan (Jared) of Battle Ground, WA. She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Donatus (Erin), Nicholas (Emily), and Emily Weithman; Austin (Katie) Schurg; Audrey (Casey) Ebelt; Sophia and Sam Strazza; and Cooper and Collin McGowan; as well as Miles King. Her legacy lives on through eight great-grandchildren: Evelyn, Bennett, Thomas, Daniel, Luke, Lucy, Eli, and Cailey. She leaves behind her sister, Jo Ann Reber Thomas (Jim) of Waxhaw, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jerre was preceded in death by her beloved son, Miles Courtney King; her parents, Homer and Gladys Reber; sister, Sandra Marsh (Dennis); her former husband and father of her children, Miles King, Jr.; and many lovable grand-dogs.
Jerre's legacy lives on through the laughter, creativity, and warmth she poured into her family. A celebration of Jeryl's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday August 2, 2025, at Gresham United Methodist Church, 620 NW 8th St. Gresham, OR A light reception will immediately follow. Inurnment will be private.