I am a cousin to your father. My father was his father’s oldest brother. I truly loved Jerry. I am still having a hard time believing he isn’t there with his children. What a dedicated man he was to come back to Albuquerque and care for his elderly father! That’s just how he was, caring for others. I too have never met you in person but feel I know you because Jerry spoke of you so much. He will be missed. Prayers for your family. Betty Smith Goen

To Jerry’s children and the Smith family:

I am deeply saddened by learning of Jerry’s passing. We were friends in high school and reconnected through messaging this past year. I will always remember his kindness and often silly sense of humor. We had some great conversations; many of them about our families. I am sure you children know how much he loved you. He was so proud of you. I will miss him tremendously. I wish all of you a peaceful heart, love, and wonderful memories of Jerry in all the days ahead. My sincere condolences to you all.

To Jerry's children and grandchildren,  I am devastated to hear the news of Jerry's death.  We went to high school together but really became close friends in the last 11 years.  I am so saddened and am having a hard time grasping that he won't be texting me anymore and he won't be paying up on a coffee date he owes me.  My deepest condolences to you all.  

Trevor, Natalie, Anna, Austin, Ron, and Randy:

I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. Jerry was the most influential friend I’ve ever had, so I can only imagine what he was to each of you. Influential because he was so kind, positive, had such depth of person, was so caring and sincere. But these adjectives don’t describe  who he was and what he meant to me. The best way for me to feel his presence is to picture him coming into a room that I also occupied. “Eddie!” he would call out with his huge smile. A joke would come next, maybe an impersonation or a dumb accent. And he’s laughing. I’m crying as I write this so I’ll sign off. I loved him so much, you’ll never know. The world will never be the same without him.  

So sorry to hear about Jerry's passing.  When we were around Jerry, kept us laughing all the time, a geat guy.  Unfortunately, he left N.M and we weren't around him as much as we would have liked.   May God bless you all and bring you peace at this time

Dear Anna, Natalie, Trevor and Austin: Your dad was a wonderful, joyful, compassionate father, friend, lawyer and partner. A mutual friend of ours perhaps best captured what we most loved and admired about you dad: “Jerry was appropriately irreverent about those things that ought not be revered, but always reverent toward that which is sacred.” For you and for us, your dad’s death does sting— but for Jerry, he has run the good race, fought the good fight, he has kept the faith and has now received the victor’s crown. 

Anna, Natalie, Trevor and Austin,

My sincere condolences and sympathy to each of you. I am so very sadden to hear about your Dad’s passing. Though we have not met, I feel as though I know each of you from my conversations with your Dad. There was not one conversation we had that he did not tell me how much he missed and loved each of you and how absolutely proud of each of you and your life accomplishments he was. I am sure you know this but your Dad was a good man, father, son, brother, and friend. The Smith family has been blessed with good men that take care of their families and your Dad was no exception.

My husband, Carl, his brother Leon, and your Dad (cousins) are now all together and I am sure they are wreaking such havoc just as they did growing up together. He always wanted us to go to the Jemez Mountains to try to find the ice caves that the three of them discovered as children but we did not make it. Yet another outdoor adventure that was his idea. I miss our conversations and his wonderful sense of humor.

I hope  your memories of your Dad and the love he had for you will ease your pain and sorrow and, with time, begin to mend your broken hearts. 

 You will continually be in my prayers,

 Sandy Smith

Were so deeply sorry for your loss. Great memories with this wonderful man was hoping for more. We will meet again ! Prayers to the family, wish we could be there. 

Trevor, Anna, Natalie, and Austin

I had the privilege of working with you dad for thirteen years. The majority of that time I saw and visited with him on a daily basis. I considered him among my very closest friends and confidants as well as  my most valued business colleague. He spoke of all of you frequently and I know much he loved you. I consistently gave him as much grief as I possibly could about the quality and frequency of some of his jokes and other attempts at humor. My efforts fell short and proved to be futile as he ignored my comments completely. I know all of you are aware of his many outdoor exploits, some of which I also tried to discourage, most notably his infamous mountain biking adventures. I will miss him badly and keep him in my thoughts often. A loss like this has a long shelf life. My sincerest condolences to all of you. I hope you get past the pain as quickly as possible. This remarkable man will always be part of my fondest memories. 

Dear Smith Family:

I was so sad to hear of your father/grandfather passing away.  Jerry and I went to Highland High School and then worked together as I was Executive Director New Mexico Medical Society and he with APA/TDC.  He was always so positive and had a huge smile.  Several Easter Sunrise Services at Calvary service at UNM football stadium Jerry sat with my wife Mary and I.  I don't know who sang worst but it was to our risen savior.  We shared many Christian books and share special verses.  Heaven received a special saint and I look forward to being with him again.

With prayers and lots of love,

Randy and Mary

Dearest Trevor, Anna, Natalie, and Austin, your father has been a dear friend of mine for 20 years. He was recommended to me as a divorce attorney by my marriage counselor 20 years ago and thus our friendship began. I've never met another soul like Jerry.  I frequently called him a lawyer with a heart and held him close to mine all of these years. God placed him delicately in my life for so many reasons and for that I'll always be grateful. The beauty of love and life is something I hold dear and these were conversations we shared many times over the years. As fate would have it, your dad asked me to come work for him in the summer of 2008 and shortly after that my brother was tragically killed. Your dad was instrumental in assisting me through my grief, navigating the law, and lifting me up spiritually.  Our coffee conversations and many days at work, surrounded around the four of you, life, spirituality, and many other topics.  As you so lovingly stated he was a devoted family man and although I never had the opportunity to meet you, I felt like I knew you and watched you grow up because of our conversations. I appreciated so many aspects about your dad, his devotion to the four of you, his HUGE heart, and the ability to be vulnerable with those he loved being the finest qualities. There's nothing I can say that will lessen the burden of loss and grief for the four of you. I send my deepest condolences. I will miss him terribly and feel gratitude everyday for the friendship we had. May your memories comfort your heart. May you always know he was DEEPLY loved and will be sorely missed.  Rest in peace, my dear friend.

I am so very sorry to hear of Jerry's passing.  I had the pleasure to work with him when we were APA. He was such a nice man.  He always took time to say Hi and ask how you were doing.  Sending prayers and condolence. 

This is such a shock and I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my beloved coworker. Jerry will be missed as an irreplaceable professional presence in the New Mexico claims world, but even more so as a personal friend to so many. Jerry had a special way of sharing his goofy humor, his love for God, and his outdoorsy adventurous spirit with all he knew. Working with Jerry was always more than "working".

I know that there are many across the country mourning the unexpected loss of this good man. I feel blessed to have been among those he called "friend" at work.

Until we meet again Jerry!

I am sorry to hear of Jerry's passing. We talked on Thursday last week and in usual Jerry fashion, he made a wise crack.  Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I enjoyed working with Jerry in Albuquerque. He was my concert buddy and we always talked about music.  His expertise and advise will be sorely missed.