In Loving Memory of Jerry Daly
October 29, 1952 - October 30, 2024
Dear friends,
Jerry was born in Sacramento, California where he spent his youth working multiple jobs, including driving a dairy truck and being a handyman for his disabled father. Jerry attended
La Sierra University and spent a year serving as a student missionary in Tanzania. This transformational experience led to a lifelong commitment to international service. His early
life experiences oriented him to helping others in any way needed and he valued living by the Golden Rule.
During his undergraduate college years, he met and married Lydia and they had three wonderful children together. Jerry completed a BA degree in History and went on to obtain Master’s degrees in History and Library science.
While Jerry spent his entire 45-year career at Loma Linda University (LLU), he provided administrative management and leadership to a broad range of departments, from media
services to information technology to the University library and finally with the Global Health Institute (GHI), where he was assistant VP. Because of his early interest in international service, Jerry found himself drawn to the various international projects of the University and started volunteering to help out. His willingness and expertise were highly regarded and led him to become more heavily involved in initiatives all over the world. Notably, he was director and handled logistics for the LLU International Heart Surgery Team; he provided critical administrative and equipment procurement support as Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital was built and developed in Hangzhou, China; he managed USAID grants in Afghanistan and the West Bank, resulting in numerous trips and periods of living there full-time; and for over 20 years he supported Adventist Health International (AHI) and its global network of hospitals and clinics.
In Jerry’s life of service, both personally and professionally, he was always recognized as the
“go to” person to get things done and known for his creativity, energy, and commitment. He truly made the world a better place and countless lives were touched by his kindness and generosity.
Jerry was always available as Dad, jumping at every opportunity to help his kids. He enjoyed catching up and taking them and their families out for coffee or dinner. When Jerry graduated to being Grandpa, he said it was the best job he ever had.
His years with Jan are some of the happiest times in both their lives. Jerry and Jan enjoyed spending time with family and friends, doing home renovations and DIY projects (he was a master craftsman), and making a home together. Ever the barista, Jerry made Jan a soy latte every morning and would periodically cook breakfast - waffles or eggs and toast were his specialty. He took on the household roles of proudly folding the neatest stacks of laundry and vacuuming and steaming the floors. With their shared love of travel, they went on many domestic and international adventures together.
Jerry is survived by his beloved wife, Jan; his sister, Peggy Crabtree; his three children, Megan, Matthew, and Maxwell; and his most recent joy, his grandson, Logan.