Jerome 'Jerry' Noel Gagner, family nickname 'Chief', passed away on August 1, 2026, of congestive heart failure at home comforted by his family.

Jerry came into this world on December 24th, 1941, in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. At a young age, his adventurous spirit inspired Jerry to join the Navy where he sailed the world serving on the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier seeing action in the Cuban crisis and Vietnam war. He was a proud service member and visited the Intrepid where it's docked in New York, taking security staff and family on his tour of his days on the admiral's staff.

Family was Jerry's heart and after the Navy, he landed in Plainview, MN, working in the meat department at Red Owl grocery store where Janis Montgomery caught his eye. The two set their sights on the State of Arizona, moving close to family there and getting married at St. Vincent De Paul Church on April 15th, 1967. Minnesota was calling Jerry's name, and they returned back to the land of 10,000 lakes landing in Rochester, MN. It's here where they built their family out of their love. Jerry found himself employed by Kriss Products, based out of Minneapolis, MN. It's here where he developed his craft and felt at home there for many years.

Jerry's enterprising soul led him to branch out into being a business owner and he relocated to Scottsdale, AZ in 1993 with Janis, starting his own company, JC Products. He grew the business from his dedicated effort, day in and day out, growing long term customers that felt like family.

Over the years Jerry gave our family the best memories, as a mentor, business partner, friend, as a jack of all trades and a master at being our dad. He built a beautiful life with his wife Janis. His life stories will be lived through his children and their spouses: Son, Craig, and his wife, Sheri Gagner; Daughter, Pam and her husband, Darin Arendt and daughter Rhonda Gagner. He adored his 6 grandchildren: Haley and her husband, Tyler Pearson, Sydney, Maxwell, Logan, Sammy, and Cody. The apple of his eye was his great-grandson, Cylus. His surviving siblings are Ella, Jim, Will, Lou, Kathy, Mary Lou, Debbie, and Steve. Jerry was preceded in death by his Dad, Wilfred Gagner and Mother, Alma (Bruneau) Gagner, and three of his sisters, Janice, Shirley, and Sharon.

Jerry was a collector of quite a variety of 'things.' He also was a youth football coach, loved gardening, and making very special potato salad for family that no one was able to master. He had a way of putting life adventures into stories that made us smile.

His family wishes to extend gratitude to the Mayo Clinic, his doctors along through his heart journey and hospice of the valley. He held family close and we hold him in our hearts where he will live on. The family will host a celebration of Jerry's life at San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home in Queen Creek, AZ on August 22nd, 2026, at 2 p.m. PST.

We ask that flowers be sent to San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home, 21809 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 on Friday August 21st.

If you wish to donate in honor of Jerry's service, please choose a veteran non-profit of your choice.