Jerry McCauley of Depoe Bay, Oregon, died of natural causes on December 26, 2012, at age 79. He was born, December 11, 1933, in Kirksville, Missouri. Jerry graduated from Mexico High School in 1951. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Isgrig on January 12, 1955, in Columbia, MO. They proudly raised four children: Dan, Patricia, Carol and Douglas.
Jerry graduated from the University of Missouri in 1955, with a degree in entomology. He served in the US Army as a trainer for Nike Ajax surface-to-air missile systems at Fort Bliss, Texas, reaching the rank of 1st Lieutenant. When his service was up, Jerry went to work for his father’s janitorial supply business, Atkins-McCauley Chemical Company, in Columbia, Missouri. In 1958, Jerry began offering a new commercial odor control service, that he eventually called Aire-Master. In 1963, Jerry established Aire-Master as a separate company and relocated to Springfield, Missouri. He grew Aire-Master into a nationwide franchise system and manufacturing business.
Jerry retired as President of Aire-Master of America in 1997, naming his son, Douglas McCauley, as his successor. Jerry became Chairman of the Board and remained so until his death. He and Mary Ann spent their retirement traveling between their homes in Oregon and Missouri. They eventually moved to the Oregon coast permanently. Mary Ann McCauley died from a stroke in 2008.
Jerry was respected and loved by his family, friends, business associates, and employees. He had a joyful spirit and an outgoing concern for others. Jerry loved to make people laugh, he gave many people an opportunity to be successful, and his Christian faith guided him in everything he did. Jerry served as an ordained elder in the Worldwide Church of God (now Grace Communion International) for over 30 years.
Jerry was preceded in death by: his parents Jacob and Jeanette McCauley; wife Mary Ann McCauley; son Dan McCauley; and daughter Carol Bosserman. Jerry is survived by: daughter Patti Kilgore of Depoe Bay, son Douglas McCauley of Depoe Bay, and granddaughter, Larisa Bosserman of Fargo, ND.
There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial service, in Springfield, Missouri, on January 26, 2013, at 3:00pm. The location is:
Life360 Church, Park Crest Campus
3581 S. Kansas Avenue
Springfield, MO 65807
A memorial fund has been established in lieu of flowers. 75% of proceeds will go to sponsor a child in Sierra Leone through The Raining Season; 25% will go to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Visit the Memorial Fund page for more information. Send donations to:
Jerry McCauley Memorial Fund
Springfield First Community Bank
2006 S. Glenstone
Springfield, MO 65804