Jerry James Israel
October 22, 1918 ~ October 19, 2010
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Jerry James Israel, 91, of Candler, died Tuesday, October 19, 2010, in Titusville, Florida.
Born on October 22, 1918 in Asheville, Mr. Israel was a son of the late Zenas Watson and Zora Elona Green Israel. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Anna Lizak Israel; a son, Robert Gregory Israel, Sr.; brothers, Lewis, Ellis, Morris and Paul Israel and a sister, Kate Israel deBruyne.
Mr. Israel grew up in Buncombe and Henderson Counties, and graduated from Candler High School. On November 11, 1944, he married the love of his life, Anna Lizak, and they enjoyed sixty beautiful years together.
Retired from the U.S. Navy, he served during WWII at the Battle of Midway. He worked in Underwater Research with Westinghouse; was an Environmental Engineer and then became a Real Estate Agent in the Florida Keys. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Masonic Indian River Lodge #90 and the Valiant Air Command, FL.
Survivors include a daughter, Elona and husband James (Jim) Henry; daughter-in-law, Norma A. Israel; grandchildren, Robert Gregory Israel, Jr. and wife Kelly, Marcus James Israel and wife Michelle, and Sarah Loranna Henry and three great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to caregiver Frances Ritter.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Piney Mountain United Methodist Church with the Reverends Ron Hartman and H.D. Houck officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Piney Mountain United Methodist Church, 14 Piney Mountain Church Road, Candler, NC, 28715, or Womens' Division of First Step Farm, PO Box 1450, Candler, NC 28715.
Uncle Jerry was the only remaining member of our fathers’ siblings. I have fond memories of how much I always looked forward to his visits with his family while he was in the military. And, then, we looked forward to our visits with him amd Aunt Ann and also Greg and Norma when we visited Candler from South Carolina and Florida. We can always be proud of what a fine man Uncle Jerry was. My prayers are with you Elona, Jim, Norma, Sarah, Marcus, and Greg, Jr.
I will surely miss Uncle Jerry. He was a great friend and mentor. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family.
Jerry-Dad’, is what I called him, and that is what he was to me. His loving smile and constant joking phone conversations will be sorely missed. Elona, you know what I mean on that. He was such a precious person.
Our hearts and thoughts are with the whole family during this time.
Dear ‘E’, Jim and Sarah: Our hearts go out to you. Jerry was one of the finest men we had the pleasure of knowing. He was funny, kind and full of love for you. May God hold you in the palm of his hand. Love Kaye & Don
I have MANY wonderful and happy memories of my beloved ‘Poppa Bear’.
I know he is now in a happy place with his love, Anna (aka Momma Bear)
and son, Greg. All three will always have a special place in my heart and memories…’Betty Boop’
Dear Uncle Jerry–how good it was to see him at his 90th Birthday! He was such a fine person and I have so many memories of him and Aunt Anna. My heart goes out to all his family.
Uncle Jerry was the kindest person, and I loved coming to see him and Aunt Anna more than anything. His tomatoes were the best there ever were, and he will be so greatly missed. All our love.