Resident of San Jose

Jerry McFadden (84), passed away on October 20, 2024, in San Francisco, after a prolonged illness. He was born on September 22,1940 to JD and Wilma McFadden and in 1963 married Linda Euliss, who preceded him in death in 1980. Jerry is survived by two sons, Greg and Jeff, daughter in law, Shannon, and one grandson, Sean.

Jerry was born in Finley, Tennessee, and moved with his family to Salinas atthe age of 16. He attended Salinas HS and Hartnell College, where he was editor of the college paper. He graduated from SJ State and received a Master of Arts in Teaching (English) from Santa Clara University. After graduating, Jerry started his long career as a middle school English teacher in Los Gatos and shortly after that at Davis Intermediate School in San Jose. His final stop was at Herman Intermediate School in San Jose, where he spent the remainder of his career as a teacher, preparing thousands of students for success in high school and college. He oversaw the school’s gifted and talented program and was awarded the district’s Teacher of the Year Award in 2000. Jerry ended his career in education as a test coordinator at the district office and then as asupervisor of student teachers at the university level.

Jerry, and his departed wife, Linda McFadden (1941-1980), raised two boys, Greg and Jeff, and made San Jose their home. Jerry is remembered not just as an extraordinary teacher but as a loving father and grandfather and a valued friend to many. He had a love for reading (detective novels in particular), theater, movies, and travel. He enjoyed gardens and plants and was renowned for his green thumb. Friends and family describe Jerry as a gentle man with a delightful sense of humor, a man of strong will and convictions, but always the gentleman.

A memorial service celebrating Jerry’s life will be held November 21, 2024, at Willow Glen Funeral Home. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m.