Obituary for Gerald Lynn "Jerry" Spore
Gerald Lynn (Jerry) Spore, 92 died 5/5/2020 in Bloomington Indiana. He was born in Owensville to John Horace Spore and Lelah Fern (Short) Spore. Jerry spent his early years on the farm in Gibson County raising pigs, chickens and watermelons. At an early age, he started playing piano, which became a lifelong love.
Jerry discovered Bloomington and IU through a high school Latin contest. After graduating from Owensville High School he joined the army, serving at Fort Knox. After the army, Jerry enrolled at Indiana University. The Marching 100 needed a glockenspiel player, so he quickly adapted his piano and accordion skills. Jerry joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and received his accounting degree in three years. His most important accomplishment at IU was meeting Dorothy Catherine (Dot) Moore. They were married on June 4th, 1950 and celebrated 65 years of marriage. She preceded him in death in 2015.
Dot and Jerry were 40+ year members of Mt. Gilead Christian Church where he served as Treasurer, Pianist, Organist and Choir Director over the years. When Mt. Gilead closed, he was happy to just be a member of First Christian Church. His long career as an accountant at Roger’s Group, Tarzian’s and retiring from IU left him knowing seemingly everyone in Bloomington.
Jerry developed a passion for genealogy that became a 50 year research project. He wrote the “Spore Book” in the 70s. When the technology became available to upload his database to Ancestry.com, he had records of over 10,000 relationships. After a joyous reunion with his wife, son and parents, he will finally get to hear the stories from his immigrant ancestors.
Family meant the world to Dot and Jerry. They had three children, Jennifer Catherine (Spore) Mullis, James Lynn Spore (Jennifer), who survive them, Daniel Richard Spore (Janet) who preceded him in death in 2017. On holidays, birthdays, random cookouts the house was full. 4-H, scouts, sporting events took most of their time when not at work. The last few years living at Gentry Park brought him some wonderful new friends, lots of time talk and a few more performances at the piano.
Jerry is also survived by grandchildren Loretta Wisley (Rob), Heather Teske (Dave), Lindy Fischer (Marcus), Krista Jaworski (Jake), Jessica Miller (Andrew) and Jackson Spore. Great grandchildren are Jacob Sare (Hannah), Anna Sare (Dustin), Abigail Yeargin (Da-isha), Emily Yeargin, Ethan Teske, Sophia Teske, Sonoma Fischer, Cora Fischer, Blakesley Fischer, Scarlett Jaworski and Madeline Miller and great-great grandchildren Jacob Sare Jr., Eli Sare, Piper Sare, Sylas Sare and Rosie Hundley, nephews Larry (Dana) and Robert Cunningham. Jerry was also preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Spore, sister Gladys Cunningham, and great grandson Nathan Sare. Burial will be at Owensville Cemetery following a private family service. The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard are handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to First Christian Church Bloomington.
Jerry discovered Bloomington and IU through a high school Latin contest. After graduating from Owensville High School he joined the army, serving at Fort Knox. After the army, Jerry enrolled at Indiana University. The Marching 100 needed a glockenspiel player, so he quickly adapted his piano and accordion skills. Jerry joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and received his accounting degree in three years. His most important accomplishment at IU was meeting Dorothy Catherine (Dot) Moore. They were married on June 4th, 1950 and celebrated 65 years of marriage. She preceded him in death in 2015.
Dot and Jerry were 40+ year members of Mt. Gilead Christian Church where he served as Treasurer, Pianist, Organist and Choir Director over the years. When Mt. Gilead closed, he was happy to just be a member of First Christian Church. His long career as an accountant at Roger’s Group, Tarzian’s and retiring from IU left him knowing seemingly everyone in Bloomington.
Jerry developed a passion for genealogy that became a 50 year research project. He wrote the “Spore Book” in the 70s. When the technology became available to upload his database to Ancestry.com, he had records of over 10,000 relationships. After a joyous reunion with his wife, son and parents, he will finally get to hear the stories from his immigrant ancestors.
Family meant the world to Dot and Jerry. They had three children, Jennifer Catherine (Spore) Mullis, James Lynn Spore (Jennifer), who survive them, Daniel Richard Spore (Janet) who preceded him in death in 2017. On holidays, birthdays, random cookouts the house was full. 4-H, scouts, sporting events took most of their time when not at work. The last few years living at Gentry Park brought him some wonderful new friends, lots of time talk and a few more performances at the piano.
Jerry is also survived by grandchildren Loretta Wisley (Rob), Heather Teske (Dave), Lindy Fischer (Marcus), Krista Jaworski (Jake), Jessica Miller (Andrew) and Jackson Spore. Great grandchildren are Jacob Sare (Hannah), Anna Sare (Dustin), Abigail Yeargin (Da-isha), Emily Yeargin, Ethan Teske, Sophia Teske, Sonoma Fischer, Cora Fischer, Blakesley Fischer, Scarlett Jaworski and Madeline Miller and great-great grandchildren Jacob Sare Jr., Eli Sare, Piper Sare, Sylas Sare and Rosie Hundley, nephews Larry (Dana) and Robert Cunningham. Jerry was also preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Spore, sister Gladys Cunningham, and great grandson Nathan Sare. Burial will be at Owensville Cemetery following a private family service. The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard are handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to First Christian Church Bloomington.