Jerry Lee Bergthold

Jerry was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin and moved to Richardson, Texas as a youth. He graduated from Richardson High School in 1969.

Jerry enlisted in the United States Army after graduation to be an Airborne, Ranger, Green Beret. After leaving the army he earned a degree in geology at The University of Texas at Dallas. Soon after, he started work in the oilfields. When tough times hit the oil business in the 80’s he shifted gears and went back to UTD to earn an M.B.A. Along with his business partners, Jerry acquired Farmers Meat Market in Dallas, Texas and opened Prime Learning in Salt Lake City, Utah. He later left those businesses to work for Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages and was proud to earn top salesperson of the year multiple times.

When Jerry retired, he spent time refinishing furniture and completing household projects; he liked to be in the garage working. He also studied geology and many other courses online from UTD. Much of the work was from home but for a time he assisted some of the professors with geology classes at UTD. 

After his retirement Jerry worked as a field representative for the United States Census Bureau, studying and watching every episode of NCIS. He was a world traveler, visiting places across the globe often in pursuit of distinct colors of sand for his collection which he is keen to have donated to UTD. 

When Jerry was in good health, he was an avid runner, snow skier and scuba diver. When his son, Marty was growing up they became involved in the scouting movement. Jerry enjoyed this experience; it would often crop up in conversation. He enjoyed hearing of Marty’s progress as he took his sons through the scouting experience.

Throughout most of his life he valiantly battled with multiple sclerosis. He fought the disease every inch of his journey. This year he managed to travel to Belize to go diving one last time. He really did fight to the end.

Jerry is survived by his wife Josette Harris and her children, Charlotte Harris, and husband Steve Migagz of Chicago Illinois, Maisie Harris and her husband Ryan Mitchell of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Jack Harris of Dallas Texas, his son, Marty Bergthold and wife Kelly; grandchildren David and Daniel Bergthold, Ellie and William Mitchell and Alexandra Migagz; sisters, Judy Edwards of Plano, Texas, Janice Bergthold of Frisco Texas, Jackie Hilderbrand and husband Dean of Mesquite, Texas and brother Jim Bergthold and wife Lisa of Lake Dallas, Texas. He was preceded in death by his first wife Joyce Marie Bergthold and parents Robert and Eileen Bergthold.