GERALD L. FULLER

Gerald Lee Fuller, age 84, of Mariposa, California, passed away unexpectedly on January 2, 2023, due to medical complications including a stroke. Julie Sepe, Gerry’s former daughter in law, was with him when he suddenly passed. Gerry had been brilliant, creative, and altruistic , prior to the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. For the past 4 years, a small group of family and friends had devoted themselves to providing care for Gerry that made it possible for him to remain in his own home. Gerry was very different in many ways during this period, but his core self, and sense of humor remained with him and he remembered and practiced love and joy, right to the end of his sudden death.

Gerry was born November 3, 1938 to Clayton and Lena (Marshall) Fuller in Baltimore, Maryland. At that time, Gerry had 1 older brother, Clayton Marchal Fuller, now deceased. When Gerry was 10 years old, his parents adopted an infant girl, Linda Lee. Gerry loved music, Boy Scouts, model railroading, and tap dancing in his school years. He also loved to share his music, time, and creative projects with his sister, throughout his life. Once Gerry got to Polytechnic High School, his musical talents and intellectual gifts were fully recognized and he excelled, even creating his own band. He was recognized for his leadership capabilities in Scouting, in Demolay, and later in engineering and ROTC in college. He earned a B.S. and

M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Maryland, College Park, MD.

As a young man, he married Charlotte (Klimes) Fuller, and they had 2 sons, Charles, and Andrew. Gerry loved being a father and shared his model railroading interests with his boys. During that time, Gerry was a career Officer in the Air Force and did extensive travel all over the world. Gerry did consultations with leaders of our country and also many foreign countries during that time. The family moved to Los Gatos, California in the late 70’s. During that time he experienced many changes in values and spirituality. With these changes, he and Charlotte divorced and his sons lived primarily with their mother (who also then remarried). Gerry began doing private sector work, focusing on safety and communications findings to make our world a safer place.

Gerry met and fell in love with MaryAnn Kleinsmith in San Jose, California. MaryAnn introduced Gerry to the Catholic faith. During that time, Michael, (brother Marchal’s oldest son) , came to stay with Gerry and MaryAnn for awhile. Michael expresses gratitude to them for his Catholic faith that he currently

practices. Gerry and MaryAnn married and lived in Mariposa, California throughout the rest of their lives. They joined St Joseph’s congregation in Mariposa and were highly active members, missionaries, and educators for their faith. They also gave generously and shared their resources with those in need, both for individuals and organizations serving human needs.

He also continued an avid interest in model railroading and even built an outdoor model railroad in his back yard, complete with landscaping and a gazebo. Gerry and MaryAnn loved to meet with their church affiliated groups and visit families in their homes, counseling them.

After settling and building their beautiful home in Mariposa, Gerry and MaryAnn opened Rockwood Gardens Bed & Breakfast sharing their home and knowledge of the area with visitors from around the world. Gerry also founded his consulting company Eagles Wings, Inc. doing specialized testing and reporting for the airlines and the FAA until his retirement.

Gerry maintained a close and loving relationship with Linda and her family, including his niece, Billie Jean, Linda’s youngest daughter . One of Gerry’s favorite events that occurred just two years ago was when Linda flew to California for a visit with Gerry, and whisked him off to Monterey, California for a lovely 3 day vacation of the century!! He gratefully told Linda that she had given him back his life. This

was after they had ridden through the golden hills of California to the Pacific Ocean and had even done a brief visit to the U.S. Dept of Defense Institute where Gerry used to guest lecture during his career days! He loved recognizing everything. It gave him a partial reprieve from his unraveling experience of dementia. They delighted in the joy that the trip brought to him!

He is survived by his sons, Charles, of Coarsegold, CA, and Andrew, of Tallahassee, FL, grandchildren, Alex, Brandon, Christopher, and Emily. He is also survived by his sister, Linda Fuller of Port Wing, WI, her daughter Billie Jean, and by his nephews, Charles Michael Fuller of Alexandria, VA and Martin Davis Fuller of Scottsdale, AZ. He is also survived by his former daughter in law, Julie Sepe, and her husband, Carlo, who helped to provide care for Gerry during the last 4 years of his life. He will be missed by his many friends and especially by his friend and caregiver, Daren Daniels, step grandsons, Justin Kleinsmith (caregiver), and Devon Kleinsmith. He will also be missed by the following friends/family that assisted with providing care and companionship; Kevin Kleinsmith, Cindy Dale and Justin’s girlfriend, Brittany and her 3 daughters. Gerry was preceded in death by his second wife, MaryAnn, and by his first wife, Charlotte. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Marchal, and by his parents, Lena and Clayton. He was preceded in death by previous caregivers, Sherry Fuller and Todd Kleinsmith.

Services will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 4985 Bullion Street Mariposa, CA 95338 on Saturday February 18, 2023 at 11:00am

Memorials may be made to: Mgsr. Walsh Scholarship Fund or Alzheimer’s Association

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