Karlich, Jerald J.
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
Testimonials
Get In Touch
Locations
Immediate Attention
Contact Us
Preston Road
“George Bush at Preston”
Aria - Northwest Highway
“5 Miles East of Hillcrest Memorial Park / Lake Highlands”
Funeral Homes Irving Tx: Aria Cremation
“Belt Line Road at 183”
Fannin Memorial Gardens
Veterans Funeral Services
Darst Funeral Home
Search Obituaries
Important Information
- If death has occurred and or is imminent, please call the Aria location nearest you.
PRESTON ROAD
214.306.6700NORTHWEST HIGHWAY
214.340.8008BELTLINE ROAD
972.607.4400 - Click here to Download the Cremation Forms.
- Have the cremation authorization form notarized
- Fax the forms back to us at:
- NW Highway
214-340-8009 - Preston Rd.
972-526-7410 - Belt Line Rd.
972-573-1008
- NW Highway
Additional Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Facts about Funerals (PDF)
- General Price List (PDF)
- Hospice Groups in DFW Metroplex
- Hospitals in DFW Metroplex
- Flying with Cremated Remains (PDF)
- Social Security Information (PDF)
- Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains (PDF)
- Area Cemeteries
- Texas Prepaid Funeral Contracts
- What to Bring to the Arrangement Conference
- Consent to Publish Form
Uniform Electronic Transactions Act 43.002(8)-“Electronic Signature” means that an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.
Aria Cremation Service & Funeral home, founded by John P. Brooks and Family. Texas State License #2461. John P. Brooks #9548 Funeral Director in Charge. | Sitemap | Regulatory Crematory Requirements