Gerald V. Kaufman

Gerald V. Kaufman, age 86, of Cave Junction, died Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at his home.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the Community Bible Church in Cave Junction. Illinois Valley Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Illinois Valley Fire Department, 681 Caves Highway, Cave Junction OR 97523; American Legion Post 70, PO Box 2, Cave Junction OR 97523; Cave Junction Lion’s Club, PO Box 1971, Cave Junction OR 97523; or Josephine County Search & Rescue, PO Box 814, Grants Pass OR 97528.

Gerald Victor Kaufman was born on December 24, 1925 in Lemmon, South Dakota to Victor & Beatrice Kaufman. He grew up in Lemmon until the age of 14 when he went on a cattle drive and never returned home to live. Jerry worked for his uncle on his ranch until age 18 when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served two years in Okinawa and the Philippines. On July 18, 1952 he married Anita Sue King and they later divorced in 1984. In 1990 he moved from California to Cave Junction. On December 31, 2001 he married Lynn Carroll Breedlove.

Gerry attended Illinois Valley Baptist Church. His memberships included the American Legion; Cave Junction Lions; lifelong member of the NRA and the Northern California Carpenters Union, and 45-year member of the Grange. Jerry also served on the support crew for the Illinois Valley Volunteer Fire Department and the Josephine County Search and Rescue; and helped to design and build a youth center in Salinas, California.

Gerry was an avid hunter and fisherman.

In addition to his wife Lynn C. Kaufman of Cave Junction, survivors include a son, Ray Kaufman of California; a daughter, Vicki Brockhoff of Alaska; three stepchildren; a brother; two sisters; three nieces; six nephews; two grandchildren; and nine step-grandchildren.