- Born on: July 26, 1952
- Departed on: October 28, 2024
- Resided in: Cedar Rapids, IA
Jerry Lee Clair
Jerry Lee Clair passed away on Monday, October 28, 2024 following a battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Nov. 9th at First Church of the Nazarene located at 3113 1st Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA. Visitation is from 10-11 am with a service 11-11:30 am.
Jerry was born July 26, 1952, in Iowa City to Lois (Yarbrough) Clair. He had many jobs as a youth but settled on the Ironwork trade. Following a desire to SCUBA dive he bought his first tank at K-Mart, tucked it under his arm and jumped in. He became a PADI certified diver in 1975 and continued his adventures with diving that led him to join the Linn County Underwater Search & Recovery group based in Cedar Rapids for many years assisting the community. He went on to become a PADI SCUBA instructor who certified many people to dive for nearly 30 years. He had a gift for being understanding, patient, and could put you at ease. His enthusiasm for diving was always evident. He often did demonstrations at local schools and Scout groups. Jerry worked many months on the Avalon, a 72 ft charter sailboat, as Dive Master and organized many memorable trips with friends and fellow divers. Jerry belonged to the Iowa City Eagles Club 395 involved with fund raising for charity and found a group of people who became family. He also belonged to the Corridor Woodcrafters Club in Cedar Rapids. He was an amazing woodworker who could make anything he put his mind to. He used these skills when remodeling his house after the flood of 2008. He had the proper tools for any job and he was proud of his shop. He enjoyed sharing tips and tools with anyone who needed help or wanted to learn. Jerry water skied, liked hunting, fishing, and camping; played volleyball, rode motorcycles, took classes for taxidermy, stained glass and enjoyed underwater photography. He also had a huge collection of kites he liked to fly with others.
Jerry loved to spend time with his family and friends. He always had a joke or a play on words that left you shaking your head but he loved laughing and having a good time. Jerry would tell you he had a full life, many good friends, and a close family. He was sincerely loved by many and is already missed.
Jerry is survived by his life partner and dive buddy, Marcia Hunt; mother, Lois Ryan: children, Jeremy (Kim) Mather, Michelle Mather and Josh (Nicole) Mather; grandchildren, Destiny, Brandon, Jasmine, Alexis (Coray), Lawrin, Iaian, and Kierstyn; great-grandchildren, Alice and Dakotah, Gabe and Hazel, and Ronnie; siblings, Tony (Tina) Sykora, Mike (Beth) Sykora, Ed (Keely) Clair and Micheal Clair; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Ralph Clair; and siblings, Steve Clair, Bill Clair, Mary (Bob) Clair-Read and Frank Clair.
Memorial donations may be directed to the family.
Jerry was born July 26, 1952, in Iowa City to Lois (Yarbrough) Clair. He had many jobs as a youth but settled on the Ironwork trade. Following a desire to SCUBA dive he bought his first tank at K-Mart, tucked it under his arm and jumped in. He became a PADI certified diver in 1975 and continued his adventures with diving that led him to join the Linn County Underwater Search & Recovery group based in Cedar Rapids for many years assisting the community. He went on to become a PADI SCUBA instructor who certified many people to dive for nearly 30 years. He had a gift for being understanding, patient, and could put you at ease. His enthusiasm for diving was always evident. He often did demonstrations at local schools and Scout groups. Jerry worked many months on the Avalon, a 72 ft charter sailboat, as Dive Master and organized many memorable trips with friends and fellow divers. Jerry belonged to the Iowa City Eagles Club 395 involved with fund raising for charity and found a group of people who became family. He also belonged to the Corridor Woodcrafters Club in Cedar Rapids. He was an amazing woodworker who could make anything he put his mind to. He used these skills when remodeling his house after the flood of 2008. He had the proper tools for any job and he was proud of his shop. He enjoyed sharing tips and tools with anyone who needed help or wanted to learn. Jerry water skied, liked hunting, fishing, and camping; played volleyball, rode motorcycles, took classes for taxidermy, stained glass and enjoyed underwater photography. He also had a huge collection of kites he liked to fly with others.
Jerry loved to spend time with his family and friends. He always had a joke or a play on words that left you shaking your head but he loved laughing and having a good time. Jerry would tell you he had a full life, many good friends, and a close family. He was sincerely loved by many and is already missed.
Jerry is survived by his life partner and dive buddy, Marcia Hunt; mother, Lois Ryan: children, Jeremy (Kim) Mather, Michelle Mather and Josh (Nicole) Mather; grandchildren, Destiny, Brandon, Jasmine, Alexis (Coray), Lawrin, Iaian, and Kierstyn; great-grandchildren, Alice and Dakotah, Gabe and Hazel, and Ronnie; siblings, Tony (Tina) Sykora, Mike (Beth) Sykora, Ed (Keely) Clair and Micheal Clair; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Ralph Clair; and siblings, Steve Clair, Bill Clair, Mary (Bob) Clair-Read and Frank Clair.
Memorial donations may be directed to the family.
