Jerry M. Annis

Jerry Annis, son of Albert Lea Annis and Elvia Annis (né Keck) died peacefully of natural causes in his assisted living facility on the morning August 27, 2025. He was 91 years old.

Jerry (AKA: Ozark Red) was born (at home, with no doctor present) in Rogers Arkansas on May 10, 1934. He, his mother, and sister followed his father out to the Concord California in the late 1930’s. Jerry started Kindergarten one year early because “mom wanted him out of the house”.

Jerry spent the war years listening to his home-built crystal radio set with a 100 foot wire antenna and tracking stories of battles on a large wall-map hanging in his room.

Despite not being able to play sports in his freshman HS year due to an inflamed appendix, Jerry rose to be a star athlete both as a receiver in football and a guard in basketball for the latter, he is an inductee to the Mt Diablo High School Hall of Fame.

Jerry went on to play on the inaugural football team at Diablo Valley College where he earned his Associate’s Degree.

Jerry married Sarah Anne Coggan in 1955 With whom he fathered all five of his children the last born in 1966.

Not long after marrying, Jerry was drafted into the Army.  He did his basic training in Fort Ord, California after which he was only one of the two of his basic training company that were stationed state-side, a happenstance Jerry felt fortunate to have had occur.  When the rest of the guys he trained with went to bases in post-War Korea, he and his pregnant wife ended up in Fort Polk, Louisiana.  HIs first daughter, Cynthia was born there.  He became an army sergeant major and made many friends, as one of the tasks he was given by his c.o. was signing his commanding officer's name for the guys' weekend passes.  

After stints in accounting departments and running his own firm, Jerry joined the Oakland Tribune in 1973, rapidly rising to the position of Treasurer and CFO. He left the Tribune in 1986 when he moved to Capitola CA and purchased and served as reporter, editor and publisher for weekly papers the Santa Cruz News and later the Santa Cruz Record, from which he retired.

Shortly after retirement, Jerry moved to Lincoln California in 2000 where he served on the HOA Board for Sun City Lincoln. He reconnected with old friends, and made many new friends here.

He also met his soulmate, Connie, on the tennis tennis court there and they became inseparable. They enjoyed both playing each other and fiercely facing down challengers as a doubles team. 

Connie and Jerry took many cruises and trips including a cross-country drive of the United States as well as a trip to Connie’s native Italy. Their love for one-another is as eternal as it is beautiful to witness.

Though he definitely had a belief in God, If asked his religion, Jerry would usually cop a cheeky smile and say “FOOTBALL”. Jerry also would add, that he could only believe in Heaven if there is football there. Jerry was not only a very successful receiver for Mt Diablo HS, and Diablo Valley College, he went on to play a successful season of semi-professional football for a team in Pittsburgh CA in the mid 1950’s (though he derided the experience as being “irresponsible”, since he was a family man). He was a devout 49’ers fan and (for a time) a true OAKLAND Raiders fan having season tickets for several years and even attending. Their first Super Bowl victory played in the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. He said he stopped being a Raiders fan after he met Al Davis.

But the football experience that seemed to touch him the most deeply was his time as a beloved (and successful) coach at Harbor High School in Capitola then Lincoln High School in Lincoln. He cherished this experience and the many young lives he touched there. Fondly reminiscing about coaching in his last years would always bring a tear to his eye.

Jerry had one sibling, older sister Sylvia Martino who passed in 2019. 

Jerry is survived and loved by his long-time partner Connie Gianini, daughters Cindy Allen, Catherine Annis, Christie Annis, Elizabeth Annis, his son Jeffrey Annis, and daughter-in-law Edna Annis. Jerry had 7 grandsons, 8 granddaughters, several great-grandchildren, and a few great-great- grandchildren.

He always said that the secret to a long life was to never lose your sense of humor.  He brought laughter into many people's lives.