Jerry Birch

On October 2nd, 2017, our dear friend, son, brother, uncle, and soul mate was called home to heaven, and set sail on a new and more important journey.  Jerry was born Feb. 6, 1965. On a beautiful snowy Saturday in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the 7th of 10 siblings. While being part of such a large family can definitely have its unique challenges and obstacles, he was fortunate to have such a caring and loving family that has always stayed close and has always had overflowing love for each other. I know this is where he got his generosity and compassion for others. Jerry was always the person to call when you needed help, no matter what you needed he was there. He was a hard worker and could accomplish just about anything he set his mind to.  Even after losing his hand in an accident when he was just 16, he never complained or used it as an excuse. Jerry learned to adapt and made the best of any situation. He was an inspiration to everyone. 

He met his husband in 1989 and started working for 7-11 that same year. He was a store manager for 16 years working in both Salt Lake City, Utah and later, on Marco Island, Florida. Jerry sincerely cared about every one of his employees and made many lasting friendships. He retired at the age of 41 after a work related injury that left him with unrelenting headache pain on an almost daily basis. However, Jerry never gave up. He faced it head on and did his best to be strong and to be there for his husband and their 4 kids "dogs" that he spoiled rotten. On his good days, he liked to visit with friends and family, talk with his mother on the phone, play with his dogs, go shopping, and he would sing the funniest songs making up the words as he went along. He liked classic cars, froot loops, oatmeal cookies, trail mix, jelly beans, and Mt. Dew.  He could spend hours playing slot machines on his phone and checking his Facebook. He looked forward to his mother-in-law's weekly sleepovers so they could have coffee and watch "Dog the Bounty Hunter" together. He left us with tons of great memories that we will cherish forever. Jerry will be missed by his friends and the countless family members from both sides of our extended family. 

Please join us for a celebration of his life on Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ASPCA due to Jerry's love of animals.