Jerome "Jerry" Henry Symons (1933-2019)

SYMONS, MYLER

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 12/21/2019 at 16:55:16

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Jerome "Jerry" Henry Symons
July 24, 1933 - December 6, 2019

Jerome “Jerry” Henry Symons died on December 6, 2019 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa, following a stroke, surrounded by his beloved family. A memorial service to celebrate Jerry’s life will occur on January 4, 2020, at 2 p.m. at the family’s home. Anyone interested in attending should connect his son Jonathon at jnsymons95@gmail.com.

Jerry was born on July 24, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to Charles and Margret (Myler) Symons.

Jerry graduated with a B.A. from in 1957 at Illinois State University (Normal) and continued his education at the University of Illinois Champaign, receiving a M.A. in 1962. After receiving his undergrad, he spent a short time in The United States Army, from which he was honorably discharged, and then served in the Army Reserves until 1963.

During this time, he taught high school and coached several sports for the Peoria Schools and Rock Island School Districts. He also acted at the Waterfront Director at the Glenwood Boys Camp and Camp Jackpine, both in Wisconsin, and was the swim coach for the Aqualetic Swim Club in Rock Island, IL.

Jerry’s life changed in 1964 when he accepted an offer to be head coach of the men’s diving team and an Assistant Professor at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. In 1986, he added to his responsibilities by also becoming the head coach of the university’s women’s team. It was in these capacities, and as the owner of the local scuba diving shop, that Jerry changed the lives of thousands of young people as a coach, instructor, and mentor until his death.

Jerry’s professional success at Iowa State was almost unheralded during his time there as he transformed the diving team into a national powerhouse. Among his coaching achievements were having 29 Big Eight Diving Champions and 5 All-American Divers. His greatest pride came not from the championships he won, but from the young people that he was able to get the most out of their potential. Among the awards he received in his 34 years at the university were being named 5-time Big Eight Diving Coach of the Year and All American Coach in 1992.

At Iowa State, and later for the YMCA and the Ames Park and Recs Department, he also taught scuba diving, discovering the recreational sport when it was in its infancy. He was a certified instructor for the YMCA, NAUI, and finally the PADI. In these organizations, he held several posts and authored numerous articles for magazines, newspapers, and professional publications throughout his life. His passion for the sport can be summed up by his favorite saying that none of students ever forgot, “Isn’t it a wonderful day to think about going skin and scuba diving.”

Although Jerry never truly retired, passing his love of being a scuba instructor to his son Jonathon as they worked together the last few years, he slowly assumed a role as the fount of wisdom in their classes together.

Scuba divers across the world will miss his stories from the dozens of dive trips he led over the years. It would be near impossible to not find an individual in a dive location or spot that Jerry’s life and legacy did not touch in a positive fashion.

Jerry’s other passions in life included reading, bleeding Iowa State’s cardinal and gold colors while watching sporting events, spending time with his pets, and being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Jerry was preceded in death by his brothers John and Jim, and his sister June. He is survived by his wife of 29 years Gloria Symons; his sons David and his wife Karen, Jeff Symons, and Jonathon Symons; his grandchildren Alex, Evan, Celeste, Tim and Serena.

While Jerry’s family and friends mourn his loss, he had the pleasure of teaching the two things that he deeply loved, diving and scuba, as occupations throughout most of his life. Because he was able to do for a living what he was passionate about, he often commented on how blessed he felt. His life was truly a reflection of that joy.

In lieu of flowers please have donations sent to Glenwood Academy, 500 West 187th Street, Glenwood, IL 60425.

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