Gerald Wedlake

April 13, 1935 - May 21, 2025

Gerald "Jerry" John Wedlake, 90, of Grand Junction, CO, passed away on May 21, following a stroke. Born at home in Dixon, IL to Anna Helen (Bally) and Melvin T. Wedlake, Jerry lost his father at age 3. Raised by his mother and German grandmother, he moved to a small dairy farm in Clinton, WI after his mother remarried. A valedictorian of Clinton High School, he attended the University of Wisconsin, where financial challenges led him to enlist in the U.S. Air Force under the Korean G.I. Bill, serving in special weapons.

Jerry returned to UW to finish his electrical engineering degree and met Jill Mokrejs, the love of his life, on a blind date. They married in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where Jill's father worked at the time. Jerry's career in engineering began at Honeywell, where he contributed to the Apollo space program, later working at Motorola and over 30 years at Ball Corp in Boulder, CO specializing in aerospace projects. His work took him abroad, including a year in Italy with an Italian space company.

After retiring in 2000, Jerry and Jill moved to Grand Junction to be close to family. They devoted much of their lives to Christian missions, including volunteer work on the Mercy Ship and with the Lily of the Valleys Girls home in Guatemala. Jerry also served as a handyman through the Grand Junction RSVP program.

An avid outdoorsman, Jerry loved skiing, hiking, backpacking, and rafting with family and friends, highlighted by two Grand Canyon trips. He cherished his time with family and friends, including his City Slickers exercise group.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jill; daughters Adrienne (Dave) Carlo, Sydney (Ryan) Swaim, and Wendy Wedlake; grandchildren Monty (Jordan) Carlo and Krista Carlo, Jeremy and Lucy Swaim, great-grandchildren Camryn and Keegan Carlo, and half-sister Jeanne (Steve) Malinowski. Jerry was preceded in death by siblings David and James Wedlake and half-brother Harry Bates.

A man of integrity, conviction, generosity, and deep faith, Jerry lived with a strong sense of purpose and was beloved by all who knew him. He is now at peace, confident in the eternal life promised by his Savior, Jesus Christ.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 14th at 10:00 am at Redlands Community Church.