Nov. 17, 1934 – June 1, 2015
Jerry Eugene Burger, 80, of Albany, formerly of Crawfordsville, died June 1, 2015.
He was born Nov. 17, 1934 in Ordway, Colo. to Edwin M. and Eva (Marchbanks) Burger.
During the war years the family moved to California. He often talked about the thrill of seeing P-40 aircraft roaring by just over the roof tops during that time. They moved to the Crawfordsville area in 1947, where the family bought a 40-acre farm and where he finished growing up. That’s where he met his life-long buddy Lavone Lovely (AKA Slurpee), with whom he shared many a youthful adventure.
Mr. Burger excelled in sports, lettering in basketball and band, and graduated from Sweet Home High School in 1952. He had a lifelong passion for fishing, old cars (GM), motorcycles, the OSU Beavers, and World War II aircraft – particularly the P-40 and the Flying Tigers. Early on he worked many different jobs, until he found his true calling as a car salesman, at which he excelled. Over the years he worked with many of the dealers in the valley, and developed long term relationships spanning decades with most of his customers, finishing his career as the Sales Manager of Nissen Ford in Albany.
He was a “True Car Guy,” his pride and joy being a beautiful 1941 Buick Century that he and his wife Betty acquired and displayed at car shows – a passion she shared as well.
To many of his grandchildren he was lovingly known as “Grampa Ice-Cream”, and his two best four-legged friends were Teddy and Graham Crackers. Both he and Betty were blessed to have the support of many friends and neighbors close by.
Mr. Burger is survived by his wife Betty Bartels-Burger of Albany; children Kevin Burger and daughter-in-law Jean of Cascadia, son Brian Burger and daughter-in-law Valerie of Stayton, daughter Leisa and son-in-law Bill Payne of Albany, son Russel Burger and daughter-in-law Lynn of Eugene; daughter-in-law RoxAnn Culbertson of Bend; step-children Janet Bartels of Estacada, Larry
MacLachlan of Spokane, and William MacLachlan of Idaho; brother Allen Burger and sister-in-law Carol of Lebanon; 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Linda, in 1953; father Edwin in 1968; mother Eva in 1998; sister Dixie in 2001; and son Zane in 2009.
Funeral services were held June 6, with final burial at Crawfordsville Union Cemetery.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.