July 08, 1941 - February 05, 2022
Jerrol Joseph Largin, beloved husband, father, granddad, brother, uncle, Owner of Largin's Service & Antique Auto Restoration, and a genuine and special friend to so many, has gone to be with our Lord. He passed on February 5, 2022, following a very brief illness.
Born July 8, 1941, in Redding, CA, after which his family immediately moved and settled in Stockton, CA, where he lived for the remainder of his life. Jerry was 80 years old. He was a Franklin High School graduate, and attended Stockton College.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Vesta Ann Largin; his children, Krystal Sabrina Wheatley ( Greg ) and Justine Laruh Holman ( Kyle ); his grandchildren, Darien Alexander Fields, Kyla Ariela Holman, Weston Mark Wheatley, and Brooks Hampton Wheatley; and many brother and sister in laws, nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Leslie Largin and Viola Vernece Largin, and his brother Ronald Vern Largin.
Jerry was a humble, authentic, and devoted Christian man. He adored his wife and girls. He was so proud of the girls, their husbands, and especially his grandchildren. He literally beamed with delight in their presence and cherished time spent with them. He was a talented musician, with a beautiful voice. He played guitar, mandolin, and violin, and he and Vesta enjoyed singing, and ballroom and swing dancing together.
Jerry met his wife, Vesta Ann, in 1961 through friends at Dick's Drive Inn in Stockton, and at many dances at 'Oak Grove' where his best friend's band played on a regular basis. They were married in 1962.
Together they were members for many years of the Northern California Horseless Carriage Club, and joined his parents, and other car enthusiasts such as Bill Harrah, on many Antique Car Tours in the early years of their marriage.
In his youth, he worked at his father's Texaco Gas Station. He later worked for Sam Page Brick Masonry as a bricklayer and hod carrier, as an Electrician for ABC Electric, an Electrician for Korring Electric, and eventually returned to the family business to work alongside his father, for 25 years, until his father retired. Jerry was a skilled welder, and ornamental iron worker. He did custom welding for fences, staircases, trailers and hitches, and industrial welding of shipping container parts for Braid America, for many years as well.
Jerry was artistic, creative, and loved all things old. He and his father collected antique car parts, and held an extensive Antique Automobile Car Collection of dozens of rare Antique Cars that they acquired and restored, for many decades. His favorites were his Father's 1914 Velie, and his own 1922 Battistini, a custom-built Buick roadster, which he owned and enjoyed for over 50 years. He bought it as a teenager from John Mondo Battistini, in Stockton. He and his father also owned and restored a 1901 Oldsmobile that was on display for many years in the Hansel & Ortman dealership showroom in downtown Stockton.
In 1978, he and Vesta purchased the family business which they operated for another 38 years until they retired in 2016.
In his retirement, his passion and purpose was in helping others, and the work that he and Vesta did fundraising for the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Sacramento. His Masonic affiliations are as follows; 32nd Degree from Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Life Member Master Mason of the Morning Star Lodge #19, since 1976, Life Member of the Scottish Rite - San Joaquin County, since 1993, Life Member, Past President, Current Board Member of San Joaquin Shrine Club, since 1993, Life Member, Current Board Member of Ben Ali – San Joaquin, Member and Current Board Member of Tokay Shrine Club – Lodi, CA, Member and Current Board Member of Mark Twain Shrine Club – Calaveras County, CA, and Member of the Escalon Shrine Club – Escalon, CA. He was also a life member of the SJC Sherriff's Foundation, life member of the National Rifle Association, a member of his High School Reunion Committee for many decades, and member of the Paradise Park Masonic Club in Santa Cruz, CA.
Jerry was a gentleman, and a great girl-dad. He was compassionate, positive, and encouraging. He was hard working and cared about others. His work ethic and his true contentment in life, was a rarity and an inspiration to us all.
Family and friends are invited to attend a "Celebration of Life" on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., the Vineyard Chapel, Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 North Beckman Rd., Harney Lane at Highway 99, Lodi, CA, 95240.
Visitation will be held the previous evening, on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., also at the Vineyard Chapel. Cherokee Memorial is in charge of all arrangements.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Jerrol Largin's name to the Shriner's Children's Hospital, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Largin family.