Jerry graduated from Capital University in Columbus, OH, in 1958 and from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 1962. He served as Assistant Pastor at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD, from 1962 to 1965, and Pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church, Dormont, PA, from 1965 to 1974. In August 1974, Jerry and family moved to Kalamazoo to form an alternative Christian group called the Shalom Community, which met as a worshiping body for 25 years.

Jerry's wife Nancy is a physical therapist.

Gerald passed away October 7, 2006 at Kairos Dwelling after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.