Jerry Salyer, 61, community leader, business owner, husband, son, brother, step-father and grandfather, friend and “the man 9 out of 10 people would prefer to be with while trapped on an elevator,” passed on Friday, January 30, 2015.
He was the owner of Jerry Salyer Insurance and Benefits Management. Whether working with his clients or serving his community, Jerry’s advice and, his goal was to always follow the golden rule.
For over 20 years, Jerry enjoyed living, working, and serving the Oceanside community. Some of his many contributions to ensure Oceanside was a great city were: serving on the Economic Development Committee, El Corazon Oversight Committee, Police & Fire Commission, Canine Companions for Independence, Tri-City Hospital Oversight Committee, Rotary President and twice the Chairman of Chamber of Commerce.
His tenure as Chairman of the Chamber was known as a time of cooperation between the City and Camp Pendleton. His influence was critical when he initiated communication between ESPN and the city to bring the 1997 X-Games to Oceanside. As a small business owner, he relentlessly advocated for “the little guy” and, quality healthcare for his clients and their employees. He took great pride in “The Beat Goes On”, a program that deployed defibrillators throughout Oceanside.
While neighbors and friends will miss Jerry’s presence at the Oceanside Museum of Art, the community theater, City Hall, Mission San Luis Rey, or at the longest fishing pier on the West Coast; his vision for Oceanside will continue to shape the city that he believed was far superior to other cities, and as he always jokingly said, especially Carlsbad.
Jerry was also an artist who loved the art’s, photography, travel, fine car’s and spending time with his friends and family.
Jerry is survived by wife, Kay Pratt Salyer; his father, Arthur Salyer; and his sister, Terri Breeden (Frank); his step-daughters, Cynthia Ceres and Jennifer Ensminger; and grandchildren Ryan, Emily, and Travis Ensminger; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Lamb; his brother-in-law Steve Roake (Laura); Natalie Leu (Sam) and Tracey Roake. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jewell Salyer: his brother, Phillip Arthur Salyer; and his beloved pup, Klee.
Jerry was born in Columbus, Ohio, a member of the Westerville High School Class of 1971, attended Ohio State University, and was a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist Program (Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania).
A celebration of Jerry’s life is being planned in Oceanside, tentatively scheduled for February 28th. Please refer to his obituary at Eternal Hills Mortuary for final details. www.eternityhillsmortuary.com
To honor Jerry’s commitment to Oceanside, a Jerry Salyer Memorial Trust is being established for the purpose of supporting local Art’s projects. Contributions are currently being received at 314 North Nevada Street, Oceanside, CA 92054. Or, to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate
