Jerry R. Lovett

SANDUSKY CO. - Jerry R. Lovett died June 12, 2018 from complications of prostate cancer and in the excellent care of Stein Hospice and his family.

   He was born May 27, 1950, in Clovis, N.M., to Barry F. and Juanell Lovett, the first son of a first son in five Lovett generations. The Lovett family moved to Wake Forest and Seven Springs in North Carolina and then to Marion, Va., for Barry’s career as a minister and chaplain before moving to Ohio in 1967.

   Jerry graduated in 1968 from Unioto High School near Chillicothe, Ohio, and received his B.S. degree in Journalism from Ohio University in 1972. On Oct. 9, 1976, he married Eugenia “Genia” Malott in Chillicothe, where they began their careers in journalism.

He worked as a news reporter at the Chillicothe Gazette, where he started dating his life partner Genia, and the Columbus Dispatch, where he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting work. After leaving journalism in 1981, Jerry became a professional hunting guide, dog trainer and owner of Green Creek Gamebirds near Fremont, Ohio.

   In 1999, Jerry and Genia moved to Battle Creek, Mich., so she could explore her career in newspaper management. In 2000, their journeys took them to Wisconsin, where they eventually lived in Fond du Lac, Wausau and Appleton. While in Wisconsin, Jerry became a Green Bay Packer fan and expanded his reputation as an amazing cook, host, storyteller and partner with Genia. They marked many dreams off their bucket lists together, including their favorites: a self-designed Alaska trip and a Georgia plantation quail-hunting excursion. They retired in 2014 and returned to Northern Ohio to be near their son and grandson.

   During those adventures, Jerry’s primary reason for living was his son, Jarod. If you heard Jerry tell a story about Jarod, you got to experience true Dad pride. He glowed while telling Jarod stories that ranged from wrestling to fishing, hunting to farming, soccer to camping. All were great stories told best by Jerry.

   In addition to Genia and Jarod, Jerry is survived by grandson Tyler Lovett, who called Jerry “Poppy.” His sister Rita (Arthur) May survives in Chillicothe. He loved his nieces and nephews, Levi, Ginny, Joanne, Holly, Abraham, Matt, Mike, Tali and Ian. He cherished Steve Gibson and his family like they were his own. Steve has been Jarod’s friend since their teen years.

   Jerry’s parents and his brother Lloyd preceded him in death.

   Family and friends will celebrate Jerry’s life privately someday soon at the family farm by sharing memories that will likely include fishing and hunting stories.

   Those who wish to honor Jerry’s life with a donation may want to choose the Sandusky County Cancer Care Fund, 826 W. State St., Fremont, OH 43420 or a favorite food pantry. Or, give to a charity that improves someone’s life, just as Jerry made the lives of those he knew so much richer and more interesting. His last giving act was to donate his corneas through Lifebanc Ohio.

   Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron, Ohio, is serving the family.

   Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jerry R. Lovett, please visit our floral store.