It was in 1972, I believe, maybe 1973... right after we graduated? His parents were out of town and he shot himself in the basement. We had been friends from kindergarten. I still miss him.
I looked Jerry up on http://www.familysearch.org, one of the features of that site is a query on the Social Security deceased database. There are a lot of entries for Gerald Nelson in Wisconsin, but I think that this info is correct for Jerry:
Gerald NELSON Birth Date:14 Oct 1954 Death Date:Dec 1975
Jerry was a natural leader, it was a real shock when I heard that he was gone, I wish I'd been a better friend.
Hi Chuck...you are correct, Jerry passed away in 1975. I know because I spoke to him the day before he took his life. It was a suicide from barbiturates and a broken heart. His girlfriend had left him for another man.
Those that knew him growing up experienced what a beautiful, fun person he was. Unfortunately he got hooked on drugs and it was all downhill from there.
I miss you Jerry, and to quote one of his favorite bands.."Wish you were here".
Bill Edwards
Jerry passed away in 1971 or 1972.
Andrea [andie] Geller
Gerry was a good friend of mine. He died of a drug overdose in 1968/69.Laura Collins
It was in 1972, I believe, maybe 1973... right after we graduated? His parents were out of town and he shot himself in the basement. We had been friends from kindergarten. I still miss him.Chuck Olson
I looked Jerry up on http://www.familysearch.org, one of the features of that site is a query on the Social Security deceased database. There are a lot of entries for Gerald Nelson in Wisconsin, but I think that this info is correct for Jerry:Gerald NELSON
Birth Date:14 Oct 1954
Death Date:Dec 1975
Jerry was a natural leader, it was a real shock when I heard that he was gone, I wish I'd been a better friend.
Kurt Lange
Hi Chuck...you are correct, Jerry passed away in 1975. I know because I spoke to him the day before he took his life. It was a suicide from barbiturates and a broken heart. His girlfriend had left him for another man.Those that knew him growing up experienced what a beautiful, fun person he was. Unfortunately he got hooked on drugs and it was all downhill from there.
I miss you Jerry, and to quote one of his favorite bands.."Wish you were here".
Chuck Olson
Per this microfiche death database, Jerry died on December 31, 1975 - he is the 9th name down, I remember his middle name was Wayne:
< http://www.vitalsearch-ca.com/jpgs/WI/deaths/1959-79/MUELLE/f07.htm >