Jerry Kenneth Walther, age 15 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ, with his devoted parents by his side, as the result of injuries sustained in a tragic accident.

Born on January 30, 2007, in Las Vegas, NV, son of John Harold Walther, Jr. and Jamie Lynn Streck Walther, Jerry lived in Milford, NJ, for two years before moving to Raritan Township, NJ, where he had resided his entire life.

Currently a freshman at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Flemington, NJ, he was a student of the Class of 2025, and dreamed of playing in the National Football League for the Carolina Panthers as a running back.

With a competitive playfulness that was in his DNA, Jerry played football since he could fit into the smallest cleats made. He was a member of the Freshman Football team at Central, proudly wearing #6, and had participated in the Flemington Falcons Football League for many years where he was a standout not only for his athleticism, but more importantly for him always being a team player and supporting his fellow teammates in all ways. It was last year, in eighth grade, where Jerry was one of only four selected to participate in the All-Star game of the NJ Suburban Youth Football League.

Strong-willed and determined, Jerry also played lacrosse at Central and was proud of the hard work that he put in to achieve success. Learning early on from his parents and siblings that there is no ‘I’ in ‘Team’, Jerry was the living embodiment of an adaptation of the adage where he would truly give someone the ‘cleats off his feet’ if they needed them. Leading by example, Jerry made friends easily as he was non-judgmental and supported everyone as they walked their own life path.

Goofy and silly, having fun was also a part of Jerry’s DNA. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing Apex on PS4, and tossing sandbags in a game of cornhole. He had a pair of sneakers for every event and enjoyed listening to Bob Marley while drinking Cranberry Sprite. His hair was always in perfect condition, and he spent many hours at the beach, working on the perfect tan.

As the middle child of his nuclear family, Jerry’s older brother, LJ, cheerfully recalls their playful banter growing up and his grit and determination in all that he did. His sister, Julia, was his best friend and the two shared everything; even though she was younger, Jerry made her a part of his friend’s group and never allowed her to feel that because she was younger, that she could not be a part of his high school world.

To his parents, Jerry was the middle child, but also, along with his siblings, made the family whole and complete; Jerry provided sunlight to the older generations and wisdom to the younger ones. He was the one who happily would hang out with his mother when many teenage boys would run the other way, and of course he also loved to try out his new wrestling moves on her when she would not suspect it. His Dad was the one with whom he would blast Flo’ Rida before a big game and get pumped up with, as he followed his dad’s teachings of always trying his hardest but remembering how one plays the game is more important than winning.

Simply put, Jerry’s smile and actions made the world a better place and as his mother stated, if Jerry could do all he did for the world in only fifteen years, then there is no excuse as to why all of us who are left, cannot carry on Jerry’s legacy and make this world a better place for all people.

Though his life was tragically cut short, Jerry’s final gift of his kidneys, pancreas, and liver, will give four others an opportunity to live. When you see a stranger walking towards you on the street, you may never know if that is Jerry walking towards you. This selfless act of organ donation is his final way of asking all those reading this, all those who want to honor him in some way, “What will you do today, with the gift’s God has given you, to make the world a better place?” Jerry knew that each day he had the choice to change the world for the better. To honor Jerry and support his legacy, is to answer that question each day, and act upon it…

Jerry was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Linda Doucette Streck; an aunt, Amy Streck; an uncle, Gerald McDowell; and two cousins, Jarrell Trstensky and Alisha Lavoie.

In addition to his parents, Jerry is survived by his older brother, John Harold Walther, III; his younger sister, Julia Ann Walther; his paternal grandparents, John Harold Walther, Sr. and Kathleen Walther; his maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Lin Streck; ‘Missy’, his main pup; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family; and many dear friends made wherever he went.

Jerry’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Morristown Medical Center, especially those in the Emergency Room and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad and NorthStar Aeromedical Unit of the New Jersey State Police, Coach Lito Rivera and Theresa Apostolis for being there at every turn in support of Jerry and his family, the New Jersey Sharing Network for their tender care of Jerry as he gave the gift of life, and the entire community who have selflessly supported Jerry since the accident. The tremendous outpouring of love will never be unappreciated nor forgotten by Jerry’s entire family.

Family and friends will gather on Friday, June 24, 2022, from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is encouraged to wear something pink to both the gathering on Friday and the Mass on Saturday.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Thomas J. Serafin will take place on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Saturday afternoon beginning at 12:30 p.m. Please follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival and carpool if able. Again, due to the anticipated crowds, please use caution in the area and obey all posted signs regarding parking.

Following Mass, all are welcome to join the family from 3:00-6:00 p.m. for a time of refreshments and fellowship at the Frenchtown American Legion, 510 Harrison Street, Frenchtown, NJ 08825.

Interment will be private.

VISITATION PARKING AT THE FUNERAL HOME: There will be clear signage on Route 31 along with Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors directing people where to park. ONLY those with special needs, along with the immediate family, will have parking at the funeral home main parking pavilion. The neighboring lots of the funeral home have been kind enough to offer their lots for some parking, but please respect the businesses during their open hours.

Due to the expected high volume of attendance, everyone is encouraged to drive especially careful in the area of Route 31/Church Street and Hunterdon Central Regional High School, and to use the shuttle bus when able. 

A shuttle bus will be running continuously from the Main Lot of Hunterdon Central Regional High School, 84 Route 31, Flemington, NJ 08822 (just north of the funeral home about 1/2 mile) from 2:00-7:00 p.m. (pick-up/drop-off will be by the front entrance to the main school building on Route 31). The family appreciates your cooperation and understanding.

You are encouraged to visit Jerry’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions may be made to a GoFundMe set up to help the family navigate this tremendous loss and offset medical and final expenses by clicking HERE.

________________________

Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Jerry Kenneth Walther, please visit our Tribute Store.