Jerry P. Rock
Jerry Paul Rock, age 88 of Superior, WI, died peacefully, Thursday, April 16, 2020 at Twin Ports Health Services in Superior.
He was born in Duluth, MN, on June 19, 1931 to John Paul and Gertrude Rock and has been a lifelong resident of the Twin Ports Area.
Jerry was a graduate of Duluth Central High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1950 to 1954. After his service he attended DeVry Institute in Chicago, and in 1956 graduated with a first-class license in radio technology. He married Marie Louise (Palmquist) on May 6, 1961 in Chisholm, MN.
Jerry was a founding partner in JayEn, Inc. and co-owned the business for twenty-four years. He served as President of JayEn, Inc., a corporation which employed twenty-nine full-time employees from 1974 to 1984, at which time the corporation was purchased by the then Minnesota Power and Light. Jerry was appreciated for his wise business judgements and perceptive insights.
Upon his retirement from JayEn, Inc. Jerry formed a new industrial two-way sales and service corporation of JPR Communications, Inc. serving the Twin Ports Area and the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota. He was sole owner of this corporation and subsequently sold and retired in 2002.
Jerry enjoyed building and racing stock cars throughout the Northland, spending hours “under the hood” he retained a life-long interest in antique cars, buying and selling several after restoring each to its original condition.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents John Paul and Gertrude Rock Barr; his younger sister Linda Rock of Duluth. Jerry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marie Louise; sons David (Beth) Rock and their children Jennifer and Logan of Birchwood, WI; Martin (Judith) Rock and their children Nathan and Carter of Inver Grove Heights, MN; Alan (Stephanie) Rock and their children Derrick, Karl, Simon and Faith of Duluth, MN; daughter Louise and her sons Alexander and Morgan of Superior, WI.
A celebration of Jerry’s life, for loved ones and friends will be held at a later date.
The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street, Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.