Philbrick, Jerry

Jerry Philbrick - age: 85
(August 21, 1936 to December 16, 2021 )
Resident of Comptche, California

Obituary:
Well-known and respected Comptche logger and rancher, Jerry Philbrick, passed away in his sleep December 16, 2021, from congestive heart failure.

Jerry Douglas Philbrick is survived by his wife of 32 years, Terri Philbrick; children, Karla Jackson Philbrick, Donald Philbrick, Stacy Kandel, and Lindsay Graham; siblings Karen Vann and Chris Philbrick, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Donald and Betty Philbrick, a sister Donna, and a daughter Kerri.

Born August 21,1936, in Fort Bragg, he grew up near his dad’s logging operations and attended the Comptche School through eighth grade. He graduated Mendocino High School in 1954 where he lettered in three sports and played football for SRJC. Jerry served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and returned to the coast to be the fourth generation of his family in the logging industry.

Sports occupied much of his time as he rode in rodeos and, at one point, he was 8th in the State of California in bull riding, and 14th in bareback riding. He participated in many Paul Bunyan Days logging events, drag raced at Cotati and other empty roads, boxed in the Golden Gloves, and managed and funded the semi-pro Mendocino Loggers football team, for whom he last played linebacker at age 47. A longtime hunter, he was a lifetime member of the NRA.

After selling his logging business, he concentrated on Logging Trucks which were always his first love. His daughter, Karla, has been managing that business since 2019. His favorite retirement activity, besides sports and family, was discussing politics. Argumentative by nature, he could be absolutely opposed to the beliefs of a group like Earth First, but remain close friends with one of its leaders, Judi Bari. Writing Letters to the Editor to the Anderson Valley Advertiser newspaper, he was a voice for conservative Trump-loving Republicans all over the county.

The 49’ers were his sports passion with whom he had season tickets for 36 years. It was very exciting when 49'er Linebacker, Dan Bunz, who he had taken pig hunting several times, wore Jerry's "Philbrick Logging" hat as he was holding the Super Bowl XVI trophy during his interview with Coach Bill Walsh. He was a longtime supporter of the Comptche Volunteer Fire Department and, along with his brother and sister, once bought them a 750 gallon per minute fire truck.

Jerry would want to be remembered as a man who gave gainful employment to hundreds of people in Mendocino County over 50 years. He loved his family and home in Comptche and his wife, Terri, said he was "rough on the outside but kindhearted and giving on the inside".

The AVA described him in one sentence that can't be matched "A man of fierce opinions forcefully expressed".

On January 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., a Celebration of Life will be held for Jerry at the Ukiah Fairgrounds Carl Purdy Hall. Attendees are invited to bring their favorite stories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Comptche Volunteer Fire Department 8491 flynn Creek Road, Comptche, Ca. 95427