Gerald Leon "Jerry" Masters

Gerald Leon Masters, age 81, of Ashland, passed away with a full heart on to his new home on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at Home On The Rogue in Grants Pass. Jerry, as he liked to be called, was born in Cardin Oklahoma in 1931 to Cara and Vasca Masters who owned the water works of this zinc and lead mining town. When Jerry was 17 he was ordained as a minister in the First Christian Church. He married the former Patricia Eldredge in 1948. Jerry and Pat spent the next 12 years speaking about grace and filling churches all over Oklahoma and New Mexico. He and Pat had two children during this time. He retired from the church at age 30 and began a series of professions beginning with selling automobile parts nationally, to founding an insurance company and eventually earning a master’s degree in Psychology from Pepperdine College in Southern California. He moved his family in 1968 to Southern California where he was associated with the Sunset Christian Church. He met Ida Rolf and was trained as a Rolfer by her and he practiced that profession until he retired in 1991. He also taught Psychology at Cypress College in Cypress California. He spent summers giving trees dignity on a piece of wilderness land above Dorris California.

In 1981 he married the former Renee Mollan. In 1991 they moved to the family ranch outside of Ashland. Jerry volunteered for the cleaning network. But mostly he worked on the ranch and as he liked to put it, he was breeding rocks. For years he has studied the Course of Miracles. He was always involved in his wife’s volunteer activities with Special Olympics and her book writing ventures.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 30 years Renee Mollan-Masters of Ashland, his two brothers Harold and Richard Masters of Oklahoma, his daughter Karen Masters of Oklahoma, His son Mark Masters and daughter –in Law Gwen Masters, and grandchildren Kristin and Juan Cadena all of Southern California. He is also survived by his wonderful caregivers from Home on the Rogue 2 in Grants Pass, Kirk Sager and Anna Bearden.

A Celebration of his life will be held at the family ranch on Saturday, September 22, 2012. Call the family for specifics. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lovejoy Hospice, 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass 97526 or Special Olympics Oregon, Jackson County, PO Box 403, Talent Oregon 97504.