Read Mr. Kerry Wayne Jampsa's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Mr. Kerry Wayne Jampsa

Chandler, AZ

December 22, 1960 - June 26, 2021

Dec 22, 1960 - Jun 26, 2021

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Kerry W. Jampsa passed away from complications of brain cancer at the too-young age of 60 on Saturday June 26, 2021. His wife Debby Jampsa passed before him in 2019. They were together for over 2.5 decades, and together they enjoyed their pets, Packers games, good beer, good food, growing tomatoes, more good beer, and simply relaxing in their home.

Kerry was also an avid outdoorsman and a skilled hunter. He survived a close brush with a Michigan Cinnamon Bear and proudly displayed his trophy mounts. He especially enjoyed his annual fantasy football league. Oh, and (again) then there was always: THE PACKERS! And buddies... Kerry loved his work buddies and fantasy football friends, as well as taking care of (even finicky) customers with grace and gentleness.

A "Celebration of Life" Luncheon will be held on Saturday Aug 7, 2021 (location to be announced soon). In the meantime, in his honor, listen to “Eagles Fly” by Sammy Hagar. He wanted that to be his theme departure song.

Kerry is survived by Shirley Clark (his delightful and amazing mother) and by his two beloved Chihuahuas. He is also survived by his brother Glenn. His brother Steve passed away only 11 days before he did. Kerry is also survived by several brothers-in-law (Jim, Dan and Mike Walsh), and by close friends too numerous to list (with special mention to Brian and Jennifer, Troy, Rob, Trina, and Robin). Kerry had a huge heart and it ran deep. There are too many special people to mention everyone here. Just know Kerry appreciated you.

Kerry grew up near Houghton-Hancock in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. He adored and treasured his Grandmother Selma and his mother Shirley. His father told him at an early age “don’t ever ask me for money or to use my car”. So despite being a lifelong football fanatic with early dreams of playing in the NFL, he instead chose to work in home construction from his teen years on (much to the dismay of the high school coach). From this early age, he cultivated and took pride in his work ethic and independence, and he went on to a long and successful career in the home construction industry. Kerry certainly had the build for football, but he was always a gentle giant of a man who expressed his passion for the game as a devout Packers fan. (How many times will “Packers” get mentioned in this memorial?). He moved to Phoenix where he met Debby (Walsh/Jampsa), and he finished his long career as a customer representative with Maracay Homes. He could charm and appease even the most challenging clients, and he went above and beyond to make things right for them. He also carried more than his fair share of the workload which made him a prized teammate. Everybody he met seemed to love him: he would endear himself to waitresses, checkout clerks, grouchy pool supply salesmen, and the list could go on.

Kerry was sentimental. He even had difficulty going into restaurants where he had memories of meals with Debby. He was soft-spoken but also very funny (especially with good old-fashioned "guy humor"), He truly was a big ‘ol lovable “teddy bear”. Even towards the end, he warmed the hearts of his care providers and was called “an inspiration” while facing challenges. He had basic yet foundational faith in God... and in Brett Favre (and even Aaron Rodgers).

Kerry was diagnosed with glioblastoma in December 2020. He bounced back from 2 long and complicated surgeries to then undergo radiation and chemo. Unfortunately his brain tumor progressed as anticipated and in March he entered home hospice. He bounced back yet again from that setback and enjoyed a wonderful final 3 months at home, right where he wanted to be. He had his dogs, he tended to his pool and his tomato garden (which he took great pride in and loved to share), and he had a never-ending stream of guests who all loved on him to the max. He was truly showered with laughter and love and memories and good beer and fun times and good food and...well, now that is a very sweet ending to the wonderful life he lived, even in the face of an incurable disease process. As his brother-in-law Jim said so well: "he enriched our lives and made us better people." And that sums it up well: he lived well and he died comfortably and surrounded by love in his own home. He leaves a legacy that models how to treat others with kindness, patience, and gentleness. Thank you, Kerry. You live on in the lives you touched and you live on in the presence of our Creator. God bless you and all those who read this.

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