Jeryl Lynn King

Jeryl Lynn King
June 16, 1944 to March 5, 2024

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. 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.

Her interests and hobbies were as vibrant as her personality. She had a flair for style and absolutely adored big hairstyles-Diana Ross big. 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. 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 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. 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.

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. For a full obituary and to read more about Jeryl’s life, please visit https://greshamfuneral.com/obituary/jeryl-king/