Jerome ‘Jerry’ Noel Gagner
December 24, 1941 – August 1, 2026
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Jerome ‘Jerry’ Noel Gagner, family nickname ‘Chief’, passed away on August 1, 2026, of congestive heart failure at home comforted by his family.
Jerry came into this world on December 24th, 1941, in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. At a young age, his adventurous spirit inspired Jerry to join the Navy where he sailed the world serving on the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier seeing action in the Cuban crisis and Vietnam war. He was a proud service member and visited the Intrepid where it’s docked in New York, taking security staff and family on his tour of his days on the admiral’s staff.
Family was Jerry’s heart and after the Navy, he landed in Plainview, MN, working in the meat department at Red Owl grocery store where Janis Montgomery caught his eye. The two set their sights on the State of Arizona, moving close to family there and getting married at St. Vincent De Paul Church on April 15th, 1967. Minnesota was calling Jerry’s name, and they returned back to the land of 10,000 lakes landing in Rochester, MN. It’s here where they built their family out of their love. Jerry found himself employed by Kriss Products, based out of Minneapolis, MN. It’s here where he developed his craft and felt at home there for many years.
Jerry’s enterprising soul led him to branch out into being a business owner and he relocated to Scottsdale, AZ in 1993 with Janis, starting his own company, JC Products. He grew the business from his dedicated effort, day in and day out, growing long term customers that felt like family.
Over the years Jerry gave our family the best memories, as a mentor, business partner, friend, as a jack of all trades and a master at being our dad. He built a beautiful life with his wife Janis. His life stories will be lived through his children and their spouses: Son, Craig, and his wife, Sheri Gagner; Daughter, Pam and her husband, Darin Arendt and daughter Rhonda Gagner. He adored his 6 grandchildren: Haley and her husband, Tyler Pearson, Sydney, Maxwell, Logan, Sammy, and Cody. The apple of his eye was his great-grandson, Cylus. His surviving siblings are Ella, Jim, Will, Lou, Kathy, Mary Lou, Debbie, and Steve. Jerry was preceded in death by his Dad, Wilfred Gagner and Mother, Alma (Bruneau) Gagner, and three of his sisters, Janice, Shirley, and Sharon.
Jerry was a collector of quite a variety of ‘things.’ He also was a youth football coach, loved gardening, and making very special potato salad for family that no one was able to master. He had a way of putting life adventures into stories that made us smile.
His family wishes to extend gratitude to the Mayo Clinic, his doctors along through his heart journey and hospice of the valley. He held family close and we hold him in our hearts where he will live on. The family will host a celebration of Jerry’s life at San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home in Queen Creek, AZ on August 22nd, 2026, at 2 p.m. PST.
We ask that flowers be sent to San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home, 21809 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 on Friday August 21st.
If you wish to donate in honor of Jerry’s service, please choose a veteran non-profit of your choice.
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Kelly and Rhonda Johnson says: What a sweet tribute for a sweet man. We are thinking of your family and sending our love.
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Hochreiter says:
Jerry, you will always be in my thoughts and prayers. You were an awesome big brother and we had many things to hold in our heart. Our camping trips, you and family visiting Red Lake Falls and many more gatherings. I love you and will dearly miss you. God bless say hi, to mom and dad, Shirley, Jan and Sharon. I know you are finally at peace.
You’re loving Sister Kathy -
Dan Hawkins says:
Jerry was an all around good man, a classic. He always provided our church with reliable care while dealing with our water treatment; and more important than this, always had a smile and spread a good measure of comradery wherever he went. He specialized in fair dealing. He will be missed and remembered.
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stephanie bradshaw says:
My heart hurts for you all. I will miss Uncle Jerry and his big laugh, he always brought such love and laughter to every conversation. My Mom especially appreciated all the love, support, when Uncle Jerry and Auntie Jan would call her. She enjoyed their phone calls very much, especially since she wasn’t the best at getting back to them.
I will always cherish the special memories we had together when you all opened up your home to my Mom, Dad and I after I had my surgery at Mayo. Two really special memories were our walks to TCBY and celebrating the Twins World Series Championship. We were so greatlful to have your LOVE and SUPPORT during my healing journey. You all truly hold a special place in my heart and I will be forever grateful. I know my Mom and Dad were too.
I will miss Uncle Jerry, and will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Continue to stay strong, you will get through this. It is really hard to lose a parent, and Auntie your beloved Husband. Remember to hold on to all the beautiful memories you have together, that helps you through the hard times. Love you guys SO MUCH!
Take care,
Stephanie -
Rhonda Gagner says:
Thank you for your endearing posts for Jerry Gagner.
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JIm & Norean Gagner says:
To one of my favorite Patriots. I call you that because your the oldest male in the family. I remember before you went into the Service, Dad was working out of town, so you and Mother we’re giving the orders.. Mother would say listen to your brother he is the oldest. You weren’t the perfect person but I always looked forward to seeing you again. You were always loved! I asked Jesus to keep an eye on you, when you see Him. Say hello to Mom and Dad and the rest of the clan for us. Don’t forget the neighbors, we had some good ones. Jerry Noisen gave me my 1st bible, Chuck R. helped me understand it, Norean helps me to live it. I am not the communicator you were but I’m trying. Jan is doing a good job sharing, God bless her. I’ll see you before to long. One step off this earth and we go where Jesus places us.
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Linda Duprest says:
Aunt Janis, Pam, Craig, and Rhonda,
Sending you all my prayers and healing in the passing of Uncle Jerry. Good memories for sure. Blessings and love to you all. Linda Duprest -
Rea Young says:
What a wonderful celebration of life for Jerry. It was an honor to have known him and attend the beautiful memorial for him. He was always so calm and humble. I worked at Mayo Clinic with Janis, and was able to meet some of the family over the years like Pam and Rhonda. I’m so happy to have met so many more at the funeral service. My deepest sympathies to Janis and her wonderful family.
Kelly and Rhonda Johnson 
Hochreiter 
Dan Hawkins 
stephanie bradshaw 
Rhonda Gagner 
JIm & Norean Gagner 
Linda Duprest 
Rea Young
What a sweet tribute for a sweet man. We are thinking of your family and sending our love.
Jerry, you will always be in my thoughts and prayers. You were an awesome big brother and we had many things to hold in our heart. Our camping trips, you and family visiting Red Lake Falls and many more gatherings. I love you and will dearly miss you. God bless say hi, to mom and dad, Shirley, Jan and Sharon. I know you are finally at peace.
You’re loving Sister Kathy
Jerry was an all around good man, a classic. He always provided our church with reliable care while dealing with our water treatment; and more important than this, always had a smile and spread a good measure of comradery wherever he went. He specialized in fair dealing. He will be missed and remembered.
My heart hurts for you all. I will miss Uncle Jerry and his big laugh, he always brought such love and laughter to every conversation. My Mom especially appreciated all the love, support, when Uncle Jerry and Auntie Jan would call her. She enjoyed their phone calls very much, especially since she wasn’t the best at getting back to them.
I will always cherish the special memories we had together when you all opened up your home to my Mom, Dad and I after I had my surgery at Mayo. Two really special memories were our walks to TCBY and celebrating the Twins World Series Championship. We were so greatlful to have your LOVE and SUPPORT during my healing journey. You all truly hold a special place in my heart and I will be forever grateful. I know my Mom and Dad were too.
I will miss Uncle Jerry, and will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Continue to stay strong, you will get through this. It is really hard to lose a parent, and Auntie your beloved Husband. Remember to hold on to all the beautiful memories you have together, that helps you through the hard times. Love you guys SO MUCH!
Take care,
Stephanie
Thank you for your endearing posts for Jerry Gagner.
To one of my favorite Patriots. I call you that because your the oldest male in the family. I remember before you went into the Service, Dad was working out of town, so you and Mother we’re giving the orders.. Mother would say listen to your brother he is the oldest. You weren’t the perfect person but I always looked forward to seeing you again. You were always loved! I asked Jesus to keep an eye on you, when you see Him. Say hello to Mom and Dad and the rest of the clan for us. Don’t forget the neighbors, we had some good ones. Jerry Noisen gave me my 1st bible, Chuck R. helped me understand it, Norean helps me to live it. I am not the communicator you were but I’m trying. Jan is doing a good job sharing, God bless her. I’ll see you before to long. One step off this earth and we go where Jesus places us.
Aunt Janis, Pam, Craig, and Rhonda,
Sending you all my prayers and healing in the passing of Uncle Jerry. Good memories for sure. Blessings and love to you all. Linda Duprest
What a wonderful celebration of life for Jerry. It was an honor to have known him and attend the beautiful memorial for him. He was always so calm and humble. I worked at Mayo Clinic with Janis, and was able to meet some of the family over the years like Pam and Rhonda. I’m so happy to have met so many more at the funeral service. My deepest sympathies to Janis and her wonderful family.