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Karlich, Jerald J.

April 4, 1949 –
 May 18, 2017

Obituary

Jerald James Karlich, known to family and friends as JJ or Jerry, died Thursday May 18, 2017, at the age of 68. While well-known by many for his jokes and generally positive attitude, his long-time depression prompted him to use a self-inflicted gun wound to escape the pain. His death occurred in Bedford, TX, where he had been a resident for 17 years. Jerry was born April 4, 1949 in San Jose, CA, to Joseph (Guiseppe) Karlich and Marlous Sloan Karlich. Right after high school he joined the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Ticonderoga during the Vietnam War. In 1979 he moved to North Texas to accept employment with Texas Instruments. He worked at TI for 29 years then continued with the same group for an additional five years under different corporate ownerships. He and dona weisman were married March 23, 2000 in Gilmer, TX. His passion for antique cars (anything within the first 150 years of gasoline engines) and motorcycles, plus an uncanny knack for being able to identify and address mechanical issues, made him a go-to person for friends with car problems. He was able to identify the make, model and year – give or take a year – of not only those vehicles but also their characteristic vehicle parts. He proudly talked about the Dallas-built ‘55 Ford he once rebuilt by doing everything but taking the frame off the chassis. Years of life around animals embued him with a love for animals of all kinds, whether feral or domesticated. He frequently talked about the eight horses he once owned and the many turkeys, geese, hens, sheep and other animals he and his mom had raised, and he learned how easily one can fall in love with finches after he and dona inherited a finch from Marlous. But it’s the three animals that joined the household after he and dona married who are credited with teaching him what “a boy and his dog” (or cat) is all about. Throughout the neighborhood, Jerry and his dogs were known by people who use the Bedford Trails as well as by many who live along the neighborhood paths the dogs chose. Jerry is survived by his wife and their 10-year-old Chiwhippet named Bonni Hope (in Bedford, TX) and by sisters Darlene Shaffer (Plantation, FL) and Kathlene Grummer (Deerfield Beach, FL), sister-in-law Shirley Hainline (Wimberly, TX) and her children and grandchildren. He was predeceased by brother Harry Hainline (2011) and brothers-in-law Irv Shaffer and Ted Grummer and by Eli, a 3-year-old Maine Coon cat (2011) and Zooey, a long-haired Chihuahua (2016). A celebration of his life is scheduled for 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday June 17, 2017 at Leon Hogg Pavilion in Euless, TX. The event will include a short presentation featuring friends and local musicians Willy Welch and Bill Nash. In recognition of Jerry’s love for animals, participants are encouraged to bring their dogs and to take them to visit the nearby dog park. Longtime friends Martin and Lee Brady have arranged for a Mass to be offered for the repose of his soul at 8:00 a.m. Sunday, September 3, 2017 at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Richardson, TX. A regular blood donor, Jerry left final instructions for donation of his blood and tissue. His cremation was handled by ARIA Cremation Service & Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Humane Society of North Texas; Attn: Donor Services; 1840 E. Lancaster Ave.; Fort Worth, TX 76103 (https://www.hsnt.org/donate) or to any IRS-recognized nonprofit organization that benefits rescued animals.     Please send the family condolences and sign the guest book on this site. Arrangements are under the direction of: Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Home 1820 N. Belt Line Road Irving, Texas 75061 972-607-4400  

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Testimonials

R. Driver
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"Excellent customer service, they made you feel like you were their only customer. Very helpful and explained what we should expect during the process. They basically took care of our needs during this time. They contacted DFW National Cemetery for us which made it a smooth experience. Definitely will use them again."
K. Barker
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"I was amazed how professional the team at Aria Funeral Preston Dallas Texas are. They guided me through the process and my options of their services that they offered for my mother. They are compassionate, caring, calm, good listener, efficient and did an excellent job! Thank you!"
R. Woll
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"If I could give 6 stars I would. Aria made a difficult easier to deal with by basically taking care of everything in an efficient but very empathetic manner. I can speak highly enough of Dusty Martin, who helped us with all of the planning and logistics. He was incredibly understanding and helpful."
Angel M.
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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
McGee Family
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"Wayne and Staff, thank you for taking care of the arrangements for our mom, Exter McGee and our dad, Philip McGee. You have been great to work with during such a difficult time."
Elledge Family
Elledge Family
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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Important Information

  1. If death has occurred and or is imminent, please call the Aria location nearest you.

    PRESTON ROAD
    214.306.6700

    NORTHWEST HIGHWAY
    214.340.8008

    BELTLINE ROAD
    972.607.4400

  2. Click here to Download the Cremation Forms.
  3. Have the cremation authorization form notarized
  4. Fax the forms back to us at:
    • NW Highway
      214-340-8009
    • Preston Rd.
      972-526-7410
    • Belt Line Rd.
      972-573-1008
 

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