Jerome J. “Jerry” Sund

Jerome J. “Jerry” Sund

September 18, 1950 – May 14, 2024

VISITATION: Thursday, May 23rd, 5 to 7 p.m., followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7 p.m., at St. James Catholic Church, 4720 N. 90th St.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, May 24th, 10:30am, at St. James Catholic Church.  Interment, Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Nebraska Humane Society.

To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Jerome J. “Jerry” Sund was born on September 18, 1950, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, to Lydia Ann (Miller Alcorn) and Roland Lester Sund. Jerry loved God, his family, music, math, and sports (especially baseball). Jerry loved to sing and started crooning along to Frank Sinatra’s “I Love Paris” on the radio as a toddler. His choral career continued in junior high, high school, in the St. James Choir (as a cantor and song leader), and in barbershop quartet. He was also an advocate for mental health awareness. What many people do not know is that Jerry was also a storyteller. The following was a small part of Jerry’s life story as told to his children.

On June 24, 1968, Jerry began working in the mailroom at Mutual of Omaha. Education was very important to Jerry. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with majors in Math and History. He worked for United of Omaha and Mutual of Omaha for 30 years as a file clerk, a supervisor of the claims clerical night crew, a junior conversion analyst, conversion analyst, a senior conversion analyst, supervisor of reinstatement underwriting, a technical assistant to the manager of direct response, business consultant, business analyst, and senior customer service operations system analyst. One of his proudest accomplishments was developing one of the first work management systems with a team of end users and information technicians. Many of these systems are still utilized today.

One of Jerry’s most prized possessions was his faith. On September 13, 1970, with his best friend Steve Savage as his sponsor, Jerry was baptized and confirmed at Holy Family Catholic Church. It was a Sunday morning. A baby also named Jerome was baptized. Jerry later became a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus. Over the years, Jerry and Mary Jo have sponsored children in India and Bangladesh through World Vision as part of their faith and mission, which Mary Jo will continue to do.

On October 10, 1977, Jerry was at his desk on the fifth floor Life Renewal Department United of Omaha. Teresa Hudson came to his desk with a young lady in tow. Teresa said, “This is my sister Mary Jo. I am not responsible for anything from this point on.” Mary Jo invited Jerry to a Steve Miller Band Concert. He got lost and was a bit late but showed up. Mary Jo and Jerry danced to the music, and there was a laser light show. It was the Fly Like an Eagle concert. After the show, they ate at Village Inn, and Jerry walked Mary Jo up to her door. Mary Jo kissed him. Jerry said, “Her kiss is first on my list of the best things in life.”

Jerry and Mary Jo married on September 23, 1978. They had four children, five grandchildren, and several pets. They also had many adventures including trips to see migrations, eclipses, and meteor showers. They travel to the Badlands, Washington DC, Colorado, Florida, California, Jamaica, Rome, and more.

On April 23, 1994, Jerry had a heart attack. This moment led him to answer the question, “What is your idea of perfect happiness?”

“I fell asleep, and the most beautiful woman came to me in my dream. She was dressed in blue, and her face was young and radiant. She held me. The dream ended. I survived and a week later I had bypass surgery. Since I am writing this now, I did survive.

This is what leads me to answer the question. As Father Tom illustrates in many of his homilies, heaven should be our goal for perfect happiness. To meet Jesus Lord and Savior. To meet Mary again. To be reunited with my mom and dad. To welcome Mary Jo when she comes to heaven. But as the old movie says, “heaven can wait.”

Heaven waited for 30 years and 21 days, but Jerry wrote what gave him peace of mind is that “On the morning I don’t wake up, I know I will be meeting my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Lydia and Roland; sister, Joan Smith; brother, Roland, Jr.; and great-nephew, Joshua James “J.J.” Sund. Jerry is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; children: Jennifer Schneider (John), Teresa Bledsoe (Tay), Jerome David Sund (Danielle), and Rev. Joseph Sund; grandchildren: John Cody Schneider, Olivia Schneider; Keira Bledsoe, Taeraen Bledsoe, and Knight Jerome Bledsoe; brother, Larry Sund (Robin), Oggie the Doggie Sund; and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.