Tribute to Jerry Wombacher

16 Sep 2020 12:27 PM | Francine Porter (Administrator)

Jerry WombacherWe at CHSM are saddened with the news of the passing of Gerald Louis Wombacher, on August 30, 2020.  

Jerry died in his sleep by the side of his wife, Cleo.

Jerry had been a volunteer at the museum for nearly 10 years and also served on the Board of Directors until recently.

Photo credit: Nick Hunseder

Obituary 


He knew the stories of Clarkdale having experienced all of them! These

were the lost stories, never put into a history book. He was the first one to

show up at all our museum sponsored events and the last one to leave.

His mild mannered personality welcomed hundreds of visitors every

Thursday and he frequently filled in for others. His stories of caddying at

the Verde Valley Country Club as a youngster, retrieving the lost golf balls

out of Peck’s Lake just to clean them up to re-sell for 25 cents, setting pins

in the bowling alley of Clark Memorial Clubhouse for 25 cents per game,

being allowed to shoot pool in the Men’s Lounge for free, pumping gas

and washing windshields at his dad’s Texaco station on Main Street,

Dan (his dad) retelling the story of the Bank of Arizona robbery of 1928, buying

popcorn at the drugstore to take to the Grand Theater for a movie, and

countless episodes at the Newsstand (Connor and Ettinger’s) were the

making of his guided tours of the museum. People loved his tales and they

left feeling connected.

Jerry and Cleo were hosts for many of the Clarkdale Historic Building and Home

Tours, since they were both raised in Clarkdale and had been in each one

as a kid. They could relate their own antics and those of the previous

homeowners. They were even the hosts of his own grandfather’s house in

Lower Town in 2019!

Jerry was the president of the Verde Valley Country Club at Peck’s Lake

when it closed in 1991. His retired life was centered there and he knew

every square inch of each building and fairway. He remembered when the

clubhouse was moved to the Clark Mansion but knew it was too small.

Fourth of July fireworks were located there along with a barbecue, picnics

and swimming.

We have lost a true historian, even though he never would have admitted

it. And we have lost a very good friend. Rest in peace. We miss you!


Comments

  • 25 Sep 2020 5:23 PM | Jane Goddard
    So sorry to hear about Jerry. He was such a fun person to talk to.
  • 27 Sep 2020 2:11 PM | Michelle Hayman
    Jerry was an all-around good guy. I'm sorry to hear of his passing, but good to know he went peacefully. My condolences to Cleo and family.
  • 28 Sep 2020 9:12 PM | Billie Crose Owens-Helm
    So sorry to hear of Jerry's passing. I grew up in Clarkdale and I first knew Jerry from my High School years in Clarkdale. He was a kind and gentle person and cared about other people. He, Cleo, and I hosted the Jerome, Clarkdale, and Mingus High School reunion one year. They were fun and easy to work with. Jerry kept it going for several years. He was always willing to help or do what needed to be done. He was an icon for Clarkdale. Glad the experiences of his life in Clarkdale are being recorded as history for others to enjoy. Prayers for Cleo and all of us that are going to miss him.
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