I last saw Jerry at BSU, I was working on my Masters and he was becoming an elementary school teacher. I could tell the damages his diabetes was doing to him, but continued on. Such another great loss.
I remember Jerre Pavelec from Mrs. La Porte’s French class in our junior year. I think Jerre was the only guy in this “romantic” language elective class. This fact alone may have caused some guys to drop out after the first class day. I am making this judgment based on my knowledge of my own two sons, not from anyone in our class. My oldest son would have thought it was awesome to have that boy/girl ratio. My younger son would not be in a class without another guy. I have no idea what Jerre thought but he did not drop out.
We were addressed by the “French” version of our given name which meant the final vowel in your name was dropped when spoken. Consequently Jerre became “Jer”. Mrs. La Porte’s style of teaching was by oral recitation. She would say a word & we would repeat it. She built on that until we could recite a conversation of two people greeting each other & exchanging a few niceties. She would then call on 2 students to stand in front of the class to repeat the scenario. Mrs. La Porte would very frequently ask “Jer” to be one of these students. Jerre seemed to be unbothered by being chosen and actually smiled at the person he was interacting with. I was terrified she would call on me, so I was always very impressed by his graciousness and his ability with this new language.
A few years later, my husband and I went into a small jewelry store in another city (unfortunately, I can’t remember where) and Jerre was there behind the counter. He immediately smiled and went & got his wife from the back of store and introduced her to us. Her parents owned the store and they were both helping out. He seemed very happy. I’m sorry not to have the opportunity to see him again.
Vickee Larson-Poole
I last saw Jerry at BSU, I was working on my Masters and he was becoming an elementary school teacher. I could tell the damages his diabetes was doing to him, but continued on. Such another great loss.Diana Allford (Mullinix)
I remember Jerre Pavelec from Mrs. La Porte’s French class in our junior year. I think Jerre was the only guy in this “romantic” language elective class. This fact alone may have caused some guys to drop out after the first class day. I am making this judgment based on my knowledge of my own two sons, not from anyone in our class. My oldest son would have thought it was awesome to have that boy/girl ratio. My younger son would not be in a class without another guy. I have no idea what Jerre thought but he did not drop out.We were addressed by the “French” version of our given name which meant the final vowel in your name was dropped when spoken. Consequently Jerre became “Jer”. Mrs. La Porte’s style of teaching was by oral recitation. She would say a word & we would repeat it. She built on that until we could recite a conversation of two people greeting each other & exchanging a few niceties. She would then call on 2 students to stand in front of the class to repeat the scenario. Mrs. La Porte would very frequently ask “Jer” to be one of these students. Jerre seemed to be unbothered by being chosen and actually smiled at the person he was interacting with. I was terrified she would call on me, so I was always very impressed by his graciousness and his ability with this new language.
A few years later, my husband and I went into a small jewelry store in another city (unfortunately, I can’t remember where) and Jerre was there behind the counter. He immediately smiled and went & got his wife from the back of store and introduced her to us. Her parents owned the store and they were both helping out. He seemed very happy. I’m sorry not to have the opportunity to see him again.