Gerald Lee Hoyt

Gerald (Jerry) Lee Hoyt, 78, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 2, 2014 at his home in Rocklin, California.

Jerry was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on December 7, 1935 to Lyman and Olive Hoyt. He has an older sister named Barbara (Barb) and had a younger sister named Suzanne (Suzie). Growing up, Jerry was an active child with Boy Scouts, outdoor activities like fishing and hunting, and was even a ranch hand on a farm in Montana one summer. During his high school years at Eau Claire Senior High (Class of 1954) he enjoyed playing basketball, football, and was a drummer in the high school band.

Following high school Jerry joined the US Army and was stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Soon thereafter he deployed overseas to Stuttgart, Germany where he supported important post WWII operations as a Specialist 3. Jerry proudly served from 1955-1957 and he often spoke fondly of his years with the US Army. Jerry did not reenlist. Instead, he couldn't wait to return home to Eau Claire to marry his high school sweet heart, Rosalyn (Lynn) Carol Balow, which he did in 1957.

During their early years of marriage Jerry and Lynn remained in Eau Claire where they started their family. Jerry worked various jobs to include working at a local paper mill, truck driving, and as a plant manager for a technology company where he managed in excess of 100 employees. By the mid-sixties, with four kids in tow, and having had enough of the brutal Wisconsin winters, the Hoyt clan headed west for new opportunities in California.

The Hoyt's settled in Santa Clara, CA where Jerry used his technology experience from Wisconsin to land a Silicon Valley management position at Fairchild, one of the early pioneering technology companies. Jerry went on to work in the technology industry for the next 30+ years in various management and marketing positions. He worked at companies such as Signetics and TRW. Jerry's working career initially took the family from Wisconsin to California; however, it also created opportunities for the Hoyt's in New Jersey, Minnesota, and almost led the family to Hong Kong. Additionally, Jerry and Lynn took a break from the technology industry for a couple of years and ran their own retail furniture store.

Jerry was successful in his working career, but his true passion was his family. He coached his son's baseball and football teams. He supported his daughters' cheer-leading activities. He loved camping, boating, and road trips home to Wisconsin. Jerry and Lynn also had a very active social life and have many close lifelong friends. They were well liked by many and often described as the life of the party. They loved music and dancing-most notably big band music of the 40's and 50's and country western. Jerry was also known to spontaneously join in with the band to play the drums, guitar, piano, or even sing a verse or two. Many fun nights were had at the Elks Club in Santa Clara where Jerry was an active member for more than 40 years. Additionally, after 12 years of having just four children, Jerry and Lynn added one more child to the bunch in 1974.

In the early 90's with Jerry and Lynn's four older children having families of their own and their youngest off to college, they retired and moved from the Bay Area to Lodi, CA. While in Lodi, Jerry and Lynn were active members of their church for 17 years. Jerry was on the property board at the church and he and Lynn both sang in the choir. Jerry enjoyed retirement while in Lodi where he and Lynn spent time vacationing to Mexico, the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands, and of course, annual summer trips home to Wisconsin. Furthermore, Jerry spent many Sundays watching his beloved 49ers and Packers and enjoyed eating out, taking in a movie, and the occasional side trip to the casino. The days they spent in Lodi also included hosting most holiday family gatherings and enjoying their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jerry is deeply loved by his family and his friends. He will be remembered for his love of his family, his sense of humor, and for being an honest and virtuous man. He will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Lynn. His four sons, Larry (Tammy), Brian (Donna), Mark (Marci), and Jason (Eleanor). His daughter, Lisa (John). His sister, Barbara (Erving). His mother-in-law, Margaret, brother-in-law Larry (Nancy), and sister-in-law Gail. He has ten grandchildren; Sean (passed), Shannan (Jeff), Jennifer, Matthew, Gary, Julie, Megan (Chad), Melissa (Andrew), Bryce, & Cameron and six great-grandchildren; Amelia, Mariah, Alana, Boaz, Mia, and Camdyn (forthcoming).