Obituary for Gerald Thomas "Jerry" Dell
Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Dell, 88, longtime Harborite and former Commercial Vehicle
Enforcement Officer with the Washington State Patrol passed away on Sunday, April 2 nd
2023, at Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma Washington.
Jerry was born on September 28 th 1934 to Edward Dell and Marion Seaver Dell in
Buffalo, New York. The family, consisting of 9 children, settled in Aberdeen Washington.
Jerry graduated from JM Weatherwax High School in 1953. Soon after graduation, Jerry
joined the Navy where he was a radio operator. After his obligation was fulfilled with the
Navy, he moved back to Aberdeen where his sister Deanna introduced him to Bonnie
Jean Thomas.
Jerry and Bonnie were married on April 28 th 1956 in Aberdeen Washington. The couple
have 4 daughters: Bambi, Shanna, Fawnia, and Ember.
While the family lived in various cities throughout Grays Harbor and Thurston Counties,
they eventually settled in Elma, Washington.
Jerry was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and served as an elder in the Olympia area for
many years where he prepared and became an exceptional public speaker delivering
bible-based discussions. He loved learning about our loving God Jehovah and sharing
what he learned with others. He also helped organize and build multiple Kingdom Halls
(Meeting places of Jehovah’s Witnesses) in the Olympia area.
He enjoyed Ham radio, photography, and was a jack of all trades which coined the
phrase “Jerry-rigged”. He loved to build, fix, and maintain projects in and around his
home and property. He could work on anything from electrical to construction. He loved
all types of technology, especially “Dell” products.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and 2 sisters. He is survived by
his wife Bonnie Jean Dell of 67 years, his children: Bambi (Jim) Schmidt, Shanna (Allan)
Armstrong, Fawnia (Lowell) Dallman, and Ember (Armand) Powell; 3 brothers: Richard
(Karen) Dell, Larry (Colleen) Dell, and Tim Dell; 2 sisters: Deanna (Jim) Gragg, and
Anita (Jim) Criel; 7 grandchildren: Corey, Travis and Caleb Tucker, Breanna Broadie,
Brennan Dallman, Emelia, and Ally Powell; plus 9 great grandchildren.
A memorial will be held via zoom on Friday, April 14 th at 7pm. Officiated by Terry Hoel of
the Rochester congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a long-time close friend of the
family.
Enforcement Officer with the Washington State Patrol passed away on Sunday, April 2 nd
2023, at Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma Washington.
Jerry was born on September 28 th 1934 to Edward Dell and Marion Seaver Dell in
Buffalo, New York. The family, consisting of 9 children, settled in Aberdeen Washington.
Jerry graduated from JM Weatherwax High School in 1953. Soon after graduation, Jerry
joined the Navy where he was a radio operator. After his obligation was fulfilled with the
Navy, he moved back to Aberdeen where his sister Deanna introduced him to Bonnie
Jean Thomas.
Jerry and Bonnie were married on April 28 th 1956 in Aberdeen Washington. The couple
have 4 daughters: Bambi, Shanna, Fawnia, and Ember.
While the family lived in various cities throughout Grays Harbor and Thurston Counties,
they eventually settled in Elma, Washington.
Jerry was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and served as an elder in the Olympia area for
many years where he prepared and became an exceptional public speaker delivering
bible-based discussions. He loved learning about our loving God Jehovah and sharing
what he learned with others. He also helped organize and build multiple Kingdom Halls
(Meeting places of Jehovah’s Witnesses) in the Olympia area.
He enjoyed Ham radio, photography, and was a jack of all trades which coined the
phrase “Jerry-rigged”. He loved to build, fix, and maintain projects in and around his
home and property. He could work on anything from electrical to construction. He loved
all types of technology, especially “Dell” products.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and 2 sisters. He is survived by
his wife Bonnie Jean Dell of 67 years, his children: Bambi (Jim) Schmidt, Shanna (Allan)
Armstrong, Fawnia (Lowell) Dallman, and Ember (Armand) Powell; 3 brothers: Richard
(Karen) Dell, Larry (Colleen) Dell, and Tim Dell; 2 sisters: Deanna (Jim) Gragg, and
Anita (Jim) Criel; 7 grandchildren: Corey, Travis and Caleb Tucker, Breanna Broadie,
Brennan Dallman, Emelia, and Ally Powell; plus 9 great grandchildren.
A memorial will be held via zoom on Friday, April 14 th at 7pm. Officiated by Terry Hoel of
the Rochester congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a long-time close friend of the
family.