Gerald Allen Wiltbank

Gerald Allen Wiltbank, son of Jack Cleveland and Helen Adelia Hutton Wiltbank, both deceased, was born in Dallas, Texas on February 5, 1952 and grew up in Greer with his sister, Lynn Hopson, Grants Pass, Oregon; and brother, William DeWayne Wiltbank, Eagar.

Jerry graduated as an honor student from Round Valley High School in 1970. He is remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, the drummer in the local band and as an outstanding basketball guard that set a record game score, making 42 points; prior to a 3 point basket, his senior year at RVHS. After graduating from high school, Jerry moved to Phoenix where he attended Arizona State University and worked as a landscaper, only to return to Eagar several years later.

Jerry started his own TV, VCR and microwave repair service after getting a degree in technology in 1984. He had a disabling stroke at the age of 46 which led to kidney failure 4 years later. In November of 2000 Jerry was headed home from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix with a new kidney, donated by his brother, Wayne. With a new lease on life, Jerry was determined to further his education as a computer tech, graduating with honors from Northern Pioneer College; post stroke and kidney replacement; with his Associate of Science degree in Computer Science. NPC hired him after graduation as a Data Communication Tech where he worked until his retirement in 2016 as he began a heroic fight with Squamous Cell Carcinoma cancer. A fighter he was! After being on hospice for 2 years, Jerry surprised us all with the diagnosis of “cancer free”! Family and friends referred to it as “amazing”; the doctors as “miraculous”.

As Jerry began regaining his health and strength, he accompanied his youngest son, Ian in relocating to Show Low in the fall of 2018, which remained his home until his sudden and unexpected death on May 1, 2020; determined to be of natural causes, 2 years post-cancer. Jerry was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jerry is survived by his siblings, Lynn Hopson and Wayne Wiltbank, sons, Brian Lee (Louanne) Wiltbank, Young Town; Joel Stephen Wiltbank, Medford, Oregon; Aaron Allen Wiltbank, Eagar; Ian Grant Wiltbank, Show Low; and 4 grandchildren, Jamie Lee, Christian BradLee, Julian McIntyre and Lydia Paige.

Eight years ago Jerry attended a reunion in New Mexico where family members from his natural family reconnected or met after 53 years of separation, Jerry and Wayne having been adopted when Jerry was 7 years old. Again he made a hit with his quick wit and humor. So Jerry is also survived by his natural mother, Charlcie Farr, brothers, Larry Helton, Tuxarkana, Arkansas; Dan Mustain, Sugarland, Texas; Scott Hefflin, Muskogee, Oklahoma; and sisters, Pamela Macfarlane, West Point, Utah; and Susan Boyett, Forney, Texas.

Due to Coronavirus Jerry’s burial and memorial service will be held at a later date in the Eagar Cemetery.