Jerry R. Jaramillo

1942-2024 Jerry R. Jaramillo, 81, of Littleton, Colorado passed away amidst family at 7:18 on the morning of January 12, 2024. He died following surgery and complications associated with an accidental fall one week previous. In accordance with Jerry’s wishes, there will be no official memorial service; however, a gathering to celebrate his life will occur later this year at a date and time yet to be determined. Jerry, the most devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nury; son Marco and his wife Lorelei; daughters, Tatiana and her fiancé Aaron Slocumb, Rosina and her husband Vann; and grandchildren Anja, Gabby, Luke, Alex, Lily, Violet, and Camille. Jerry is also survived by his brother Gillie Jaramillo of Los Lunas, New Mexico; his surviving in-laws include Nury’s siblings Kenneth Salas, Maria Amalia Salas and husband Samuel Balmaceda, and Uriel Salas of Ciudad Quesada and San Jose, Costa Rica respectively. Born the youngest of nine children on June 16, 1942, in Belen, New Mexico to The Honorable Henry T. Jaramillo and Casiana Aragon Jaramillo, Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Eddie, Henry, and Alfonso; sisters Barbara Ortiz, Lucy Sanchez, Rose Aragon, and Lena Frazee; in-laws Uriel Salas and Aracely Salazar; and brothers-in-law Chale and Bernal Salas. Upon graduation from Belen High School in 1960, Jerry attended The College of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande, Albuquerque, New Mexico, eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965. Jerry also completed post-graduate work at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and at Texas Tech University. Often, Jerry would fondly recall his days as a member of his high school’s marching band playing the trombone, and it was during this time he developed his love of cars which remained constant his entire life. Following his academic career, Jerry embarked on the adventure of a lifetime by joining the United States Peace Corps where he was assigned to the country of Costa Rica from 1965-1967. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, Jerry worked tirelessly to establish credit unions consequently boosting local entrepreneurship in the Province of Cartago. Following his two-year commitment to the Peace Corps, Jerry elected to remain in country this time working for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from 1968-1970. Jerry considered his time with the Peace Corps and USAID among his proudest accomplishments with local credit unions thriving decades following their establishment and his work on community projects with USAID promoting long-term socioeconomic development across Costa Rica. During this time, he traveled to every corner of that nation and often boasted he knew how to get around Costa Rica better than most locals. In no short order, Jerry simply fell in love with Costa Rica, its population of proud and gentle Ticos, and their vibrant culture. Equally significant, it was during this time he met a beautiful young woman working in the Peace Corps office named Nury Salas that would eventually become the love of his life and his bride for over five decades. Following the birth of their first child, Jerry and Nury returned to Belen, New Mexico where, after a brief foray in the banking industry, Jerry began his career with the State Farm Insurance Company. He opened his agency by the “Valencia Y” in Los Lunas, New Mexico and, over the course of 44 years from 1973-2017, Jerry grew his business to become one of the largest and most successful agencies in the State of New Mexico. Jerry’s business career would eventually grow to include the acquisition and management of commercial properties in the States of New Mexico and Colorado. Jerry approached every aspect of his professional life with determined effort, passion, and vigor. As a Los Lunas business owner, he often donated to multiple causes and youth organizations in the local area. To know Jerry was to know the immense pride he held for his family. He loved to speak of his family roots beginning with their arrival to New Spain during the early years of the 16th century and through over 480 years of civic and professional contributions to what would eventually become the United States of America, and the State of New Mexico. But more than anything, he loved his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren beyond measure. He always made the effort to call, fax, and email each of his kids to see how they are doing, offer words of encouragement, and wish everyone an enthusiastic “TGIM” (thank God it’s Monday)! During his life, Jerry would often be seen jogging or going to the gym, enjoying a red chile enchilada with his brothers Henry and Gillie, and laughing at the funny faces his children made following a hearty swig of pickle juice. A long-time member of the Lobo Club, Jerry had a passion for UNM sports rarely missing an opportunity to cheer on the Lobos in basketball and football. In concert with his days in the Peace Corps, Jerry was an active member of Sister Cities International and Friendship Force International expanding his love of travel and foreign culture despite lack of easy access to a “hair blower” and his constant bouts of “sinus” while traveling. While Jerry has now joined those loved ones who have predeceased him, he leaves behind a legacy of international and domestic entrepreneurship, a passion for foreign culture and discovery, and a love of all things family. If Jerry were able to speak to us from the heavens today, he would likely say that while he may be dead, we should all take comfort in the fact that he “didn’t die of anything serious.” His soul now rests with all the Jaramillo ancestors, and he will always be remembered by his loved ones. “I’ll see you when I look at you." Please sign Jerry’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

Jerry R. Jaramillo

June 16, 1942 - January 12, 2024