JERROLD IRA KAUFMAN

Jerrold Ira Kaufman passed away peacefully on October 27th in Jackson, Michigan. He was 78. Jerry was born March 23, 1943, to Joseph and Violet Kaufman in Chicago, Illinois. The family moved to Las Vegas when Jerry was 10; his father died three years later. Jerry and his older brother Harley credit the efforts of their mother in singlehandedly raising them to be hardworking, successful, and dedicated to family. Jerry was an acclaimed all-city center at Las Vegas High School and went on to play football for the University of Southern California. Jerry married Sharron Levine in Las Vegas in 1964. They had two children, Joel and Jay. Jerry spent several years as a craps and blackjack dealer, working alongside his mother and brother at the Dunes Hotel. Jerry married Shelley Hartman in 1979 and the couple moved to California in 1983. Jerry and Shelley spent many happy years sharing their passions, including travel, their beloved cats Orville and Wilbur, participation in the synagogue, and especially whale watching and volunteering with the Cabrillo Aquarium in San Pedro. Jerry spent three decades working with the National Child Safety Council and its affiliated charities; he relocated to the organization’s headquarters in Jackson after Shelley passed in 2002. Jerry may have been proudest of his role in developing Helping Our Own, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring used fire engines and equipment to benefit rural volunteer fire departments. In recent years, Harley has served in an executive role for NCSC and the brothers were able to work together again, sideby-side in adjacent offices. Jerry enjoyed watching sports, playing poker, and his role as a father, grandfather and just recently a great-grandfather. In all facets of his life, he defaulted to kindnesses and generosity, both when it was most needed and least expected. He will be remembered for his happy nature and quick wit, how he kept kosher as a reminder of his faith, and his longtime devotion to Shelley. We can feel him with us still, outfitted in a well-worn USC ball cap and sweatshirt, a cigar in one hand and a peach Snapple in the other, smiling and reflecting on the small joys and amusing ironies in friendships, business, and families. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his sons, Joel Muller (Leslie), Jay

Kaufman (Steve Klippenstein), brother Harley Kaufman, grandsons Joseph (Kayla) and Ryan Muller, nephew Daniel Kaufman, niece Janna Kaufman, and great-granddaughter Tessa Jean Muller. Our family thanks the staff at Henry

Ford Allegiance Health who nursed Jerry through many illnesses, patiently tolerated his oft-repeated life stories, and kept him continually supplied with strawberry shortcake...his favorite. Donations in Jerry’s name may be made to American Kidney Fund.