Jerome Zeugschmidt

Jerome “Jerry” Zeugschmidt was born January 14, 1926 in the Bronx suburb of New York City. He was the only child born to parents, Jesse Zeugschmidt and Anna Weiss.

He attended the local Jewish synagogue and public school in NYC. Jerry left New York at the age of 17 to serve his country, joining the Navy during WWII. He was stationed in Ogden, Utah at Clearfield Naval Supply Depot. Having a passion for photography, he often took film to the local drug store for developing. It was there he met a beautiful, young clerk named Joanne Ruward. After their courtship, he and Joanne were married in Green River, Wyoming on August 1, 1945. The newlyweds honeymooned in New York City. It was during their cross country train ride home that they learned the war was finally over.

After being honorably discharged, the couple moved to San Diego in 1946 and began their family life.  Jerry worked for the government as a Fiscal Accounting Clerk and then as a Photographer at the Naval Electronics Laboratory in Point Loma. He retired in 1981 at the age of 55 after 35 years of service.

Jerry was a talented photographer and gifted artist. He specialized in landscapes and his masterful paintings of the Point Loma lighthouse are cherished by his family. Jerry had a vivid imagination and curiosity. He was a voracious reader, enjoying newspapers and magazines including Popular Mechanics. Jerry loved spending time at the Point Loma branch library and he enjoyed sharing the details of his acquired knowledge.

As a longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jerry held numerous callings and volunteer positions. Jerry was a volunteer at the church Family History Center for 8 years. Jerry and Joanne served a mission at the Church Employment Center in Mission Valley and served as temple workers in the San Diego Temple for several years.

After a long and fulfilling life, Jerry passed away peacefully at his home in Point Loma on July 3, 2022, at the age of 96, surrounded by family. Jerry is survived by his devoted and loving wife of nearly 77 years, Joanne Ruward Zeugschmdt, and their five children: Dennis Zeugschmidt (Patty) of Cary, North Carolina, Paul Zeugschmidt (Wendy) of Valley Center, CA., Gloria McWhirter (Reed) of San Marcos, CA., Rosalie Zeugschmidt (Jordan) of Chula Vista, CA. & Gary Zeugschmidt (Brian) of Point Loma, CA. Jerry is also survived by his 14 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren and counting.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jerome Zeugschmidt, please visit our floral store.