November 5, 1936 - March 17, 2022
Jerry Edward Nowlin has gone to be with our Lord. He passed on March 17, 2022.
Jerry was born on Nov. 5, 1936 in Pope County, Arkansas. His family moved to Stockton, CA when he was five years old. He attended Franklin High School and Stockton College.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Vera Mae Nowlin, his sons John and James (Debbie); his grandchildren, John, James and Kaitlyn Nowlin; great granddaughter, Journey; Aunt Josephine Degerman; brothers in law, James Anderson and Doyle King; nieces Beverly Nielsen and Joy Anderson; nephew, David (Stacy) Anderson; and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wallace A. and Ona Ruth Nowlin.
He retired in 1997 from the Union Pacific Railroad after working for 41 years as a brakeman and conductor.
Jerry was a member of Morning Star Lodge. 19 F&AM Stockton; Stockton Scottish Rite; Ben Ali Shrine, Sacramento; San Joaquin Shrine Club, Stockton; Tokay Shrine Club, Lodi; Heritage Chapter No. 50, Order of the Eastern Star, Lodi; Loyalty Chapter No. 38, Order of the Amaranth, Stockton; as well as a long time member of the Violin Society of America and the Violin Makers Association of Arizona, International where he and his wife attend several conventions. He also enjoyed meeting with his railroad friends for a monthly breakfast. He read the Bible and was very knowledgeable in the scriptures and had a deep religious belief.
Jerry was very artistic and creative. He made many violins, guitars, mandolins, and other instruments. He carved statues out of wood as well as stone. He painted pictures in oil and water color. He was a gun smith and gun engraver and made his own gun stocks.
He and his wife also enjoyed rock hunting and traveled to many states and went on a gem and mineral tour to Brazil and Argentina, and later he went to Australia and brought back an opal for his wife. He enjoyed setting stones in jewelry, leather tooling and leather braiding making horse tack, gun holsters, wallets, belts, etc. as well as other artistic endeavors. He loved fishing and hunting. He and his wife traveled to Alaska and fished near Elfin Cove and Juneau for salmon. He also enjoyed camping trips with his family. Jerry was a man of many talents who loved his family and was dearly loved by his family.
Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home in Lodi is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Children Hospital, 2425 Stockton Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95817.