Obituary of Pastor Jerald Emory Reich

Reich December 22, 1921 - November 3, 2013 Pastor Jerald E. Reich, 91 years old, of Scotts Valley, California, passed gently into the arms of his heavenly Father on November 3, 2013. Known to many Christians in Scotts Valley, San Jose, and Los Angeles area churches as "Pastor Jerry", he was born in Mount Vernon, Indiana on December 22, 1921. He married Mary Louise Reich in 1940 and they remained constant companions for 73 years. Pastor Jerry attended Moody Bible Institute until joining the US Army in 1944, where he served in combat in five major South Pacific invasions and was a decorated World War II Veteran. He graduated from USC in 1956 earning a degree in Electrical Engineering. As an Electrical Engineer, he worked at Marquardt Aircraft, Space Technology Labs, Lockheed LMSC, and Litton while directing youth groups, choirs and teaching in area churches. At Lockheed he personally designed and patented computer technology that was used to plot the first moon landing and managed the team that implemented it. He also established and led the "Youth for Christ" organization in Huntsville and directed music at Huntsville Bible Church and West Huntsville Baptist Church. In 1976, he became an ordained minister and later received a Masters of Biblical Studies degree from Talbot Theological Seminary at Biola University. Pastor Jerry became the Senior Pastor at Grace Bible Church in South Gate, California and later Harmony Bible Church in Burlington, Iowa. He also served as a Pastor-Teacher at Grace Community Church, First Baptist Church Los Altos, Westgate Church, Gateway Bible Church, Oaktree Villa and Spring Lakes Retirement Communities until 2010. He is survived by his wife: Mary Louise Reich, his three children: Jerald R. Reich (Nancy), Margaret Fisher and Rebecca Harford (Tim), 6 grandchildren: Danielle, David, Bryan, Scott, Jeremy and Kellie, and 11 great-grandchildren: Anaise, Olyvea, Tate, Emory, Andria, Corbin, Marcus, Norah, Evan, Kaylee and Bryson. Public viewing will be November 15th, 4pm-8pm at Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel, 1927 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone: (831) 426-1601 Memorial service will be November 16th, 2pm at Gateway Bible Church, 5000 Granite Creek Rd., Scotts Valley, CA 95066. Phone: (831) 438-0646 In lieu of flowers, a donation in honor of Rev Jerald E. Reich can be made to Pregnancy Resource Center, 1570 Soquel Dr., Ste. 4, Santa Cruz, CA 95065 or your favorite charity.