We really never thought this day would come, and our hearts will never be the same. Jerry Comfort, one of the greatest men we’ve ever known, lived an incredible life to 96 years of age. We will miss him every day, but we are so proud to call him Dad and Grandpa.

Jerry grew up in Fortuna, the son of Doc and Dorothy Comfort. He grew up driving his dad to house calls across Southern Humboldt, helping provide medical care throughout the rural region. Jerry met the love of his life, Betty, when he pretended to need help with his homework in algebra class just to have an excuse to talk to the cute girl sitting in front of him. A star athlete, Jerry lettered in five sports at Fortuna High School, earning himself enough points that he could walk Betty to every class, even if it made him late, and still stay in good standing. The high school sweethearts were married when they were 19 and were just as in love on their 74^th wedding anniversary.

Jerry attended Oregon State University on a basketball scholarship with plans to follow in his father’s footsteps as a surgeon. An injury to his hand rewrote his plans, and he returned to Humboldt and graduated from HSU with his teaching credential. He taught science at Zane Junior High in Eureka for 34 years, touching countless lives. Continuing his athletic streak, he coached tennis and basketball throughout his teaching career.

An avid photographer, hunter, and fisherman, Jerry loved the outdoors and spent as much time as possible in the mountains. Throughout his life, he has ridden, walked, and driven over almost every inch of Humboldt and Trinity counties. From abalone diving in Bear Harbor to countless hunting trips at the cabin in South Fork, Jerry never ran out of stories about the North Coast. One of his favorite stories to tell was about the flood of ’64, when he flew in the choppers to help rescue cattle and people across the Eel River Valley.

Jerry loved to write poetry, from cowboy poetry about bucking broncs to anniversary poems for Betty every year. He was constantly writing down lines of poems, with some of his favorites published in different places. Even now, we are finding countless bits of poetry and wisdom written down on sticky notes throughout the house – words that we will treasure forever.

Jerry had many other interests – too many to list here. He loved spending time at and taking care of the Rocha Ranch in Hydesville, where Betty grew up. He also loved to travel, especially to Hawaii and the Caribbean. He loved to snorkel, dive, and explore, even boogie boarding at 85. Jerry was also a walking encyclopedia, and there was nothing you could ask him that he didn’t have an answer for.

Family was the most important part of his life, especially all the special times at one of his most favorite places in the world - Redway. He spent his summers at the family cabin on the Eel River since he was five years old, where his children and grandchildren still follow in his footsteps. One of the things he loved to do the most was to ride his four-wheeler up and down the river bar with his kids, searching for rocks and driftwood. We always got a kick out of it whenever he would find a “beauty” or a “dandy”. One of our favorite memories is how each child and grandchild would get a silver dollar the first time they could swim across the river on their own. Redway will never be the same without him, but we will remember him with every ride on the four-wheeler, every bonfire, and every ping pong game to come.

Jerry was as tough as they come, and still chopping wood at 95. We will try to follow in his footsteps and live by his example. He taught us the importance of kindness, compassion, and honesty. He instilled in us a sense of wonder for the beauty that this world has to offer, and a deep appreciation for all that we have. He taught us to always do our best and to never give up. We will carry him in our hearts forever.

Jerry is preceded in death by his loving wife Betty Comfort, sister Carloyn Low, brother Phil Comfort, parents Harold and Dorothy Comfort, and son-in-law John Aveggio. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Jace and Lorraine Comfort; granddaughter Kimberly Rose and great grandson Parker Rose; grandson Jared Comfort, great grandsons Jacey Comfort and Brant Comfort, Jared’s fiancé Christina and her daughters Malorie and Jaelyn; son Bob Comfort and his wife Lisa; granddaughters Leanne and Ashley Comfort; daughter Candy Aveggio; and granddaughter Casey Aveggio; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Sunday, March 16^th, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Monday Club, 610 Main St. in Fortuna.

We’d like to include a poem Jerry wrote for his own dad, since it expresses how we feel too.

I Held That Hand

By Jerry Comfort

His time was almost over

His precious life ‘most gone

And I wondered there in thought

If he’d see another dawn

I held his hand and squeezed it

And I whispered in his ear

And put my arm around him

To try to hold him here

I told him that I loved him

And I could see a little smile

I thanked him for all that he’d done

To make my life worthwhile

His breath came out in little gasps

His pulse was slow and weak

His hand felt cold and clammy

And a tear rolled down my cheek

He just seemed to be drifting off

As if ‘twas time to part

And I could not hold him here

But I can hold him in my heart

I came to him that last day

And sat there by his side

I knew his time was over

And in my heart I cried

I thought of all he means to me

Of all the things he’d done

And what a lucky boy I was

To be my father’s son

He put me here upon this earth

And gave me precious life

He taught me to be strong and true

To live with stress and strife

He taught me that this life is good

That there’s beauty everywhere

That life is meant to be enjoyed

To love, to feel, to care

I held his hand and sat there

Though I could not hold him here

But I still hold him in my heart

And the memories keep him near

And now that life is over

But I just can’t let him go

I hold his hand to keep him here

But in my mind I know

I held that hand and stayed there

For long hours without end

For he was very special

My father and my friend