As a kind and tenderhearted man, Jerry Hescott naturally drew people into his life. One of his most incredible qualities was that he could accept them unconditionally. Above all else, Jerry made people feel special. Within the chaos of life, he could always focus on what was most important to him – the people he loved. 
In 1937, the United States was just beginning to surface from the effects of the Great Depression. President Franklin Roosevelt continued to enact his domestic reform program known as the New Deal, which instituted programs such as the Social Security. Meanwhile, political conflicts in Europe were also making headlines news. Within two years, World War II would escort a new generation of men into the horrors of battle. Jerry Hescott was born on May 5, 1937, just as these events began to unfold. He was the youngest of three children of Rev. Donald and Genevieve (Overmyer) Hescott of Detroit, Michigan. 
The Hescott family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan when Jerry was about two years old. His father, being a minister, was called to care for a new congregation there. While in Grand Rapids, his father Donald was a co-founder of the radio program called the Children’s Bible Hour, which is still active today. Jerry was also a part of this program as a singer. In 1947, the family made another move to Chicago, Illinois and his father began to work for the Moody Bible Institute. As a young boy, sports always played a very important part of Don and Jerry’s lives. Jerry was also often doted on by his older sister Joann. He began his schooling in Grand Rapids, but completed his education at Parker High School in Chicago, graduating in 1955. He enjoyed being on the high school swim team but also “worked” after school delivering groceries to earn extra money, although much of his time was spent playing baseball in the vacant lot across the street. One of the elementary schools Jerry attended in his academic career was called Harvard Grammar School, and so he often joked that he graduated from “Harvard.” Many memorable summers during his teenage years were spent at Gull Lake with his grandmother, skiing and doing water sports with his buddies. 
After graduating, Jerry took a job with Jensen Movers and after work he liked to go out with friends to a local hang out called Bernie and Betty’s Pizza. It was during this time that Jerry met his future wife Joan. She was friends with one of his friends and Jerry was friends with one of her friends and one day they all decided to go to the drive-in together. Jerry and Joan sat next to each other in the car and this was the beginning of a wonderful relationship. The couple was married in 1958, in Chicago and went on a romantic honeymoon in Florida. 
By this time, Jerry was an apprentice at a tile company, which luckily kept him out of the service. He and Joan later moved to South Holland, Illinois where he opened his own tile and carpet store. In 1963, they welcomed the birth of their first child, Jay, who was followed by Jodi in 1964, Jennifer in 1968, and Jon in 1971. In 1973, the family moved to Holland, Michigan, where Jerry joined a company called Hyvaco, Inc., along with his good friend Henry Yff, which he owned and operated until his retirement. 
It was also during this time that Jerry and Joan were able to fulfill one of their lifelong dreams of buying a cottage on a lake. They bought some property on Horseshoe Lake in Minong, Wisconsin. So every summer, after school let out, Joan and the kids went to the cottage and Jerry would fly up on the weekends with other dads. Every Friday night the plane would buzz the lake to let the moms and the kids know they were there and they would jump in the car to go meet them and bring them home. Joan was always very excited to see her husband and on one occasion, she was driving so fast to get to him, they lost a hubcap. She let her mother out quickly to fetch the hubcap before continuing on her way. 
Jerry’s family was always his first priority and he spent many hours with his children. Their home in Holland had a swimming pool and Jerry often philosophized that the pool was to be used by everyone, including neighborhood kids. He joked that this was the first “community pool” in Holland, perhaps this is how he became know as the neighborhood dad. A devoted father, Jerry was extremely proud of his children and took an active role in every phase of their lives. From attending every sporting event or school activity to playing catch or taking a swim, he was never too tired to spend time with his kids. Even after his kids were out of school, he continued to be an avid sports fan, and helped Bob Perez announce at the Holland High School football games. 
Well into his 50’s, Jerry continued seeking adventure. From parasailing to hot air ballooning; to surfing or going on a glider ride. He even convinced the family to join him skydiving. He continued to play softball into his mid 50’s, so he could play with his sons on Central Park’s team. Jerry was very patient, fun loving and adventurous, traits his kids loved. At the cottage, he was always driving the boat for skiers and tubers, and anyone else he could talk into it; he was a big kid at heart and had as much fun as they did. Later in life, Jerry’s precious grandchildren were his life and he loved to spoil them. He affectionately dubbed each one of them with a cute nickname – they were truly the apples of Grandpa’s eye. 
After retiring, Jerry enjoyed spending more time at the cabin with his friend, Jon Bosman, fishing and golfing. There was one very funny story they often told which involved Jerry losing his glasses and fishing pole. Jerry was also a Deacon and Elder at Central Park Church, though one of his favorite duties was teaching Sunday school because he loved being with the kids. In 1995, Jerry was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and courageously battled this disease for a long time. Outgoing and friendly, he made many friends at Cardiac Rehab, and they made sure to check up on him often. Over the past few years, Jerry and Joan took to traveling to Florida for the month of February. Making friends from Canada and all over the United States. 
Jerry will be remembered as a man who knew that true joy and happiness came, not from possessions, but from being surrounded by family and friends. He was a man who cared for everyone he knew, and he expressed this care through his generosity and willingness to always lend a helping hand. Although he will be deeply missed, his legacy of love and dedication leaves his loved ones with cherished memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort. 
Gerald L. “Jerry” Hescott of Holland, MI, died on Wednesday, December 22, 2004, at Holland Community Hospital. His family includes his wife of 46 years, Joan Hescott; children: Jay (Karen) Hescott of Holland, Jodi (Ben) Groenhof of West Olive, Jennifer (Todd) Werley of Holland, and Jon (Yoko) Hescott of Holland; 8 grandchildren: Abigail, Benjamin and Cassandra Groenhof, Jacob and Nathan Werley, William and Sam Hescott and Kobe Hescott; sister and brother: Joann (Jack) Keinow of St. Charles, and the Rev. Donald (Winnie) Hescott of Gull Lake; brothers and sisters-in-law: Ellen Carrano of Alsip, IL, Linda (Ron) Olejnik of Lansing, IL, and Charles Connelly of Ft. Atkinson, WI; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. 
Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, December 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Central Park Reformed Church, officiated by the Revs. David Landegent and Donald Hescott. Burial will be in Graasfschap Cemetery. Friends may spend time with Jerry’s family on Monday, December 27, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland. Please visit Jerry’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either Central Park Reformed Church Building Fund or Hospice of Holland.