Gerald Vanloan

Gerald Michael VanLoan, 48, passed away, unexpectedly, after a short illness on May 11, 2024 in Cedar City, Utah. He was born on September 18,1975 in Binghamton, New York, to Gerald F. and Debra Carpenter VanLoan.

Jerry Mike was a very active little boy, and loved to play outside. At age two, he wanted the training wheels taken off from his small, yellow bicycle, so his father took them off, and he immediately began to learn to ride a two wheeler by practicing his balance as he rode down a small incline in front of his house.

One summer day, we discovered that Jerry and his young friend, Michael, were missing, so the police were called to help find them. They had taken a hike through the woods out back of the apartments, and followed a road that took them up and over the freeway to another part of town. They just kept walking and were not even worried about where they were going. I think they enjoyed their first ride in that police vehicle, that brought them home.

On another occasion, Jerry climbed a chain link fence, and as he was falling, his hand got caught on the top of the fence, leaving him there hanging by that hand. His Aunt Penny, came to his rescue, and got him off the fence, but, she about passed out doing so herself. Jerry was very accident prone his whole life, and, of course, he had to have stitches that day.

When Jerry's parents divorced, he moved to St. George, Utah with his Mom and younger sister, Killeen. Jerry learned to swim at a motel near by, with his new friends that lived at the motel. His mom didn't realized that he could swim, until he jumped in a deep pool of water, and she almost had a come apart.

Jerry made friends easily, and joined his friends in many activities. He loved the challenge of riding his bicycle up the airport hill in St George, and down again. He loved to climb the red cliffs, and told his mom that he almost fell off one time, but that didn't stop him from going back! He enjoyed playing soccor and was excited when his father came to visit, and watched him play.

I remember coming home from work, one day, and the back yard was on fire in our apartment complex, and, smoke could be seen everywhere, and I learned that Jerry had started the fire. He was at a friends house and found matches and you know how the rest of the story goes. Luckily, the fire was out without any damage to anything, and I was so grateful.

Jerry had a boomerang that he was playing with outside, and the boomerang went up on the roof of our three story high apartment building, and he wanted it down, but there was no way for us to get up there, although, he tired.

I told him to say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father to help him get that

boomerang from the roof. That night, Jerry said a child's prayer and he went to bed. The next morning he went outside and the boomerang was on the ground in the courtyard. This was an answer to his prayer, and a miracle to me, because the roof had a foot high wall going around the edge of the roof, so that even if a wind blew that night, it would have had to be a very strong wind to get over that wall. I think that was an act of faith for Jerry.

A few years later, before his mom married Sam Bauer and they would move to Cedar City, Sam would take Jerry and his sister to Cedar until their mom got off work. Sam let Jerry learn to ride a three wheeler, and, he ran into a fence, getting a gash in his arm from the barb wire, but no stitches were needed. Then, he decided that he could give his sister a ride on the three wheeler, and while he was trying to turn it around, his thumb hit the throttle lever, and, they went flying up the porch steps, hitting the backdoor, causing a dent in the door, and then, slowly, bouncing backwards down the steps without incidence!

One evening, Sam and Deb decided to go on a date, and asked two teenage sisters to tend their five children combined. Apparently, Jerry wasn't behaving well with that situation, so the girls locked him out of the house, and in his attempt to get back in, he proceeded to break the front storm door while doing so.

When Sam and Deb thought that it was time for their children to meet, they got them together and unbeknown to them, their kids had already known each other as they attended the same daycare center in St. George! Stancie shared a memory from that time. She said, "One of my very first memories of Jerry, I think I was 3, and we were at the daycare center in St George. I was playing in the tree house and it started raining. I was so scared to get down. Jerry came up, got me down, and back inside". After a few more memories of Jerry, she said, "the last time I seen Jerry he gave me a big hug like when we were little." Thank you, Stancie for the memory.

Later, his mom said, that she felt she should marry Sam because of the damage Jerry had caused to his house! Jerry was always a challenge since the day he was born, and it wasn't until later in life, that he was diagnosed with ADHD, which, was helpful for us to know, and, and he learned to handle it without being medicated.

Sam had taught Jerry the importance of work, and was a great example while he was growing up. Jerry had a great respect for Sam, and could always come to him if he needed advice on anything.

Jerry attended Fiddler's Elementary, Cedar Middle School, and Cedar High School. Although, he didn't graduate from High School, he was able to get his GED later on. He got his CDL through the ATC that helped him on some of the jobs he had. Jerry had a great work ethic and, would push himself to the limit, if needed.

His first job was at Brad's Food Hut,which he enjoyed. Later, he worked for Roger and Jay Grimshaw, drilling wells, and currently, Jerry worked many years for Phil Schmidt Construction. These men have been an anchor in Jerry's life, as he struggled with drugs for a long time, and spent time away in prison on several occasions. But each time he got released from prison, he had a job waiting for him. Jerry got into Meth, and it was said that only 8 out of 100 walk away from Meth, and, Jerry was one of the eight that walked away and never looked back!

Jerry was a jack of all trades, he could fix most anything. He liked to draw, play on his play station, and was successful at gardening, and looking forward to gardening again this year. He loved to cook and enjoyed using his smoker and learned to do it well. He loved to go camping, snowboarding and spending time up the mountain, and staying at our property over in Hatch. He loved riding his 400EX four wheeler, and going extremely fast on his Banshee, giving his mother a heart attack!

Jerry had a very kind heart. He loved his family members, and checked on them occasionally, and was exceptionally good to his Mom. He had many friends, and he loved to talk, and would would tell his whole life story to a complete stranger if one had a listening ear. His great sense of humor, was enjoyed by those around him.

Jerry never married or had children of his own, but, was a great mentor to Hayden and Hailey, and I hope they know that he really loved and cared about them. We are grateful for their mother, Rachel, and the loving kindness she had for Jerry. He was truly happy and content with her in his life.

Jerry was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in St George, Utah at the age of 8, by John L. Avery.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Gerald F. VanLoan, Grandparents Joseph and Myrtle Bauer, and Grandmother Jennie Carpenter. And, his most favorite, Aunt Penny, who he had a special bond with.

Jerry is survived by his parents, Sam and Deb Bauer, siblings Killeen (Bradley) Maxwell, Sabrina (Clay) Rhoades, Sammy (Robin) Bauer, Stancie (Justin) Olsson, Brandon (Jerica) Bauer, Jake Bauer, and Ben Tackley.

He will be greatly loved and missed by all his family members. We Love You Jerry Mike!

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Monday, May 20, 2024, at the Enoch West Stake Center at 3575 N. Minersville Highway.

A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30am prior to services.

An additional viewing will be held Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Cedar Valley Funeral Home, at 2086 N. Main Street, Cedar City, Utah.

Interment will be at the Enoch City Cemetery, under the direction of Cedar Valley Funerals, 2086 North Main Street, Cedar City, Utah, at a later date.

Online condolences can be sent to www.cedarvalleyfuneral.com.