Jerry Wayne Crossett was born May 19, 1938, in Wellman, the son of Merle and Marjorie (Loeffler) Crossett. He lost his month-long struggle with Covid, Nov. 6, 2021, at the age of 83.
After graduating as the Valedictorian of his class of 1957 at Wellman High School, Jerry went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University. As a Cyclone, he met and married his college sweetheart, Mary Lou Palmer of Keota. After their honeymoon to sunny southern California, they returned to Iowa to pack their belongings and left the snow, bugs, and humidity behind them. In southern California, he continued his education and received a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech).
Upon graduation, he was snatched up by McDonnell Douglas in the Aerospace division, effectively solidifying his status as a “rocket scientist”. In 1971 Jerry, Mary Lou, Joy and 10-month-old Donald, boarded a Pan American flight bound for Japan to pursue an engineering project that took him to Nagoya, Japan. During the following three years, he became fluent in Japanese, established life-long Japanese friends, and fell in love with the Japanese culture.
When Jerry returned his family to the U.S. in 1974, he settled his roots in Fountain Valley, California, where he remained until his death. Shortly after his return to the states he left engineering to start his own export company called Action international. Over the years he exported many different product categories including bovine genetics, computers, clocks, lamps…the most recent being firearms and protective gear for police and military.
Many neighbors claim that they could set their clocks by Jerry’s routine walks every other day. Being a very disciplined man, he believed his health was a priority and took very good care of himself. His dedication and work ethic were admired by many.
Jerry was an avid enthusiast of shooting sports. He could be found at the gun club at least twice a week and enjoyed teaching others how to shoot trap and skeet. He spent many years trying to get his entire family to love shooting as much as he did.
From the time jerry was a little boy, he always loved cars, particularly sports cars. You could see/hear Jerry coming from a mile away in his little red Porsche. He loved racing and driving FAST! Driving with Jerry was always white-knuckle experience.
Jerry was a very devout Christian and attended Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for over 45 years. He could be found in the back in the same pew every Sunday until the recent Covid shutdown, but even then, he religiously tuned in online from the comfort of his living room.
Jerry is survived by his wife: Mary Lou Crossett; two children: Joy Rhodes and Donald (Leslie) Crossett; four grandchildren: Jackson Rhodes, Samantha Rhodes, Lila Crossett, and Charlie Crossett; four siblings: Jolaine (Jim) Junkin, Judi (Cork)) Heyning, Terry (Lila) Crossett and Carol (Jim) Malichky.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and youngest sister: Tammy Crossett Paulson.
Services were held Nov. 16, 2021, with graveside service at Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona del Mar, California.
