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All us old timers are getting closer to the head of the line. Just some sooner than others. Never met him, but sounds like he will be missed.
-------------------- Bill'n'Annie Davidson Heathcote, NSW, Aus. my Aussie wife, a Toohey's Old, my Holden Ute, Retired from the rat race! Posts: 309 | From: Heathcote, NSW, Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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talked to jerry on the phone couple times....nice guy. we are all gona get there........
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Jerry was a very kind soul when you really got to know him; many of us have spoken with him on the phone and he was so different than on the bb; he was truly a decent person concerned with others and touched so many people with good advice and great ideas.
He will be sorely missed. A real character, from N.Y. that lived in Grants Pass Oregon. He was one of the good guys. We'll miss him.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Jerry Mathel was from San Diego California.
Early in 07 Jerry's doctor gave him 6 months to live, after which I made a deal with him and bought Jerry's home and property in a cash deal, Jerry built most all what is here including the decks and a huge shop, he even executed all the blueprints perfectly. After the money changed hands, we wrote a clause allowing him to live out his life in his own home and as time passed, he and I often spoke of his moving back to San Diego. Here it is seven years after moving back to San Diego, so his doctor here was wrong in his findings.. Jerry was filled with talent and done many " How - To " articles in Sign Builders Illustrated where he was also a photo Journalist.. He was very knowledgeable in gold leafing, glass gilding, sign painting, wood carving as well as motorcycle racing on a circle track, motocross and at Bonneville, where when he was 20 years old, he went 132mph on his street bike, a 1950 Triumph 500. He entered the U.S. Army and became a Ranger and was one of the first to go to Vietnam in 63... Upon his return he got right back into sign painting and eventually he and his mom moved to Grants Pass in the 70's.. Jerry had a second job as a corrections officer and when he retired in the early 90's made his full time job doing signage, gold leaf and glue chipping as well as building motocross bikes in his fully equipped machine shop. The shop he built complete with a spray booth, six inch walls, two story with a heat pump and a/c... He met me in the late 90's when I was striping at a dealership, after which we became friends.. We treated each other as if we knew one another our entire life...
Early yesterday morning I awoke around 3:30 am with chest pain and as I sat up, I got super dizzy. Stuff I haven't done yet went through my mind and I felt I was gonna die... Come 9 am I get a call from Jerry's nephew say that Jerry passed at 3:45 am....
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I remember him too. Sad. I may have to show my wife how to get into Letterville. When I go, no one will know. The only hint will be when Rusty starts sparring with OP, and I don't add my 2¢.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Jerry sure brought a lot of life to this board; he was so controversial sometimes (most of the time) but I remember when he moved into his own place again and started growing herbal things and going to church/ he was a very interesting artist; all that is said above and especially his knowledge of commitment and self discipline. You never expect our dear ones to leave so quickly. Saying this because I am not on letterville site as much but check back to see how everyone is more importantly after being here over 15 years, more like 18 or 19, it's amazing whether you are new to Letterville or not, I do want all of you to know I cherish our connection for many reasons you may not understand. There are other boards as well but we are all connected through our love for the crafts.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Deb, I think you're thinking of someone else as Jerry retired almost 10 years ago and lived here in his own home for 30 years before I acquired his his home, shop, paints and much of his tools. He than moved to San Diego in 08 where he no longer did anything in relation to the sign business. He did however write some scripts for the film industry..
BTW Deb, he has never been a controversial as long as I can remember. His only involvement in the sign business beside writing for Sign Business Illustrated was going to Gold Leaf meets at Rick Glawson's and the Purcell's and posting here up until 08..
Deb-bie, I truly believe you are thinking of someone else... This Jerry Mathel never even mowed his lawn and couldn't even walk up the staircase to the second floor of the shop. I know, as I hung out with Jerry since 1998 and bought his home and property in 07 and inherited both his dogs as well...
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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Raymond, who knows how long I will be on this planet, the doctors here gave Jerry 6 months to live and I gave him 7 years. My last doctors visit, she said my lung capacity had gone up 8% and wanted to know which prescription drugs I was taking, I said whatever you see on my papers. She said, it doesn't show any and I said Bingo! I do not take drugs, especially pharmaceuticals, yet I do Cannabis Oil. The oil has saved me from dying inside as well as giving me strength without pain and cured my arthritis among other things.. My heart, now that's a different story, pacemaker helps a bit..
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Joey, thanks okay now I am starting to remember! Thanks for the update. It's been a long time since I saw his posts, okay I appreciate it, thanks again for setting me straight.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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