Jerold Warren Tuller

Jerold Warren Tuller passed away peacefully at home on July 25, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry was born on May 9, 1926, in San Bernardino. His parents, Clyde and Amy Mary Tuller, had come to California to explore the idea of living there, but shortly after Jerry’s birth, they moved back to Wisconsin, where they lived on a farm by the Mississippi River. After a seven-year stay in Long Beach, the family settled in Yamhill, Oregon, in 1942. Jerry became a star on the high school basketball team and was also senior class president. He and three of his high school friends enlisted in the Navy during their senior year. After graduation, the four went to boot camp in Idaho and left in late summer for the South Pacific. Although trained as a signalman, Jerry was eventually assigned to voice radio in the 301st Construction Battallion.

After discharge from the Navy in 1946, Jerry went to college and graduated from USC in 1951. College was where Jerry met his wife, Sally Weeks. After four years in Boonville, the family, now with three young children, moved in 1959 to Sonoma, where Jerry was principal of El Verano School for 23 years. He served on the Sonoma city council for 16 years, twice as mayor. He also served on the Sonoma Valley Hospital board. In 1989, he was chosen to be Honorary Alcalde. His civic pursuits did not keep Jerry from devoting time to his family. He was a great dad to his three children, involved in their activities, and the family took numerous camping trips all over the west. He was an active member of Sonoma United Methodist Church for 55 years.

Jerry was predeceased by his older brother John William Tuller; and by his grandson, Paul Raphael Epain. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sally; his son, Jerold Delwin Tuller, of Auburn; his daughter, Laurice Anne Tuller (Jackie Epain), of Chatellerault, France; his daughter, Nancy Jean Tuller, of Sonoma; and his grandchildren, Andrew Dean Tuller, Sheri Ann Tuller, Tobhiyah Shane Holmes (Sytha), Luke Alistair Epain; and by his brothers, Richard Raymond Tuller, of Lakeport, and Thomas Duane Tuller, of Glencoe, Arkansas.

A memorial service will be held at Sonoma United Methodist Church, 109 Patten St., Sonoma, CA on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Institute for Cancer Research, 1759 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20009, American Cancer Society; Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, P.O. Box 493, Sonoma, CA 95476; Hospice By The Bay, 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476; or Sonoma United Methodist Church.