OBITUARY - [0864]
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Individual Data 
Half Moon Bay Review, Half Moon Bay, California May 9, 2007 Gerald "Jerry" Offholter, a 37-year resident of Half Moon Bay before moving to Tucson, died May 5 in Tucson due to complications of diabetes. He was 71. Born in Oklahoma City, Mr. Offholter served in Korea from 1957 to 1961 with the U.S. Marines. He loved being a Marine, according to his son-in-law, Ray Weaver of Lake Forest, California. After serving his country, Mr. Offholter spent 45 years employed by RCA-Globecom, working his way from bicycle messenger to operating technician in Communications Operations. There, he was involved with the Apollo and Apollo-Soyuz space missions, among other projects. Well-known as a practical joker, Mr. Offholter and a friend, on a dare, once crossed the Golden Gate Bridge wearing nothing more than a barrel. "He was a funny and fun-loving person who lived and loved his family and friends with his heart and soul," said his wife, Penny, of Tucson. Mr. Offholter also loved the San Francisco 49ers. "Those around him knew that when the 49ers were about to kick off, he was not to be disturbed," said his wife. Mr. Offholter lived in Half Moon Bay from 1970 until January of this year, when he relocated to Tucson. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Penny, of Tucson; daughters, Maureen (and husband, Ray) Weaver of Lake Forest, California, and Michelle Volken of San Francisco; son, Patrick (and wife, Jennifer) Offholter of Tucson; and grandchildren, Tyler Volken and Joshua and Emily Offholter. He is also survived by sisters, Patricia "Pat" Sanders of Pacifica and Janelle Patterson; brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Jan Winter of Danville; and sister-in-law Sheila Winter of Washington state, many nieces and nephews and many warm friends. Viewing is scheduled for Thursday, May 10, and Mr. Offholter will receive a full military service Friday, May 11, with interment at Sierra Vista National Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Diabetes Foundation. |