Gerald O. "Jerry" Engebo

Longview resident Gerald O. "Jerry" Engebo, 95, died on September 7, 2024 at home. 

Jerry, the first child of Oscar and Mabel Engebo, was born in Seattle on May 28, 1929. He attended schools in the Seattle area where he was editor of his high school newspaper and continued his education at the University of Washington where he was graduated in 1951 with a degree in journalism.

Jerry's first newspaper job was at the Daily Olympian. After a year at the Olympian, he went into active duty with the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Korean War. He and Arleen Stohl, whom he met in Olympia, were married on June 13, 1953 in Seattle and when he was discharged from the Navy the couple moved back to Olympia where he returned to his former job. Their next move was back to the Seattle area where he worked for the Edmonds Tribune-Review. In 1956 they moved to Longview where Jerry began a 35-year career with The Daily News, from which he retired in 1991 as Circulation Manager. 

He was active in the Pacific Northwest International Circulation Managers' Association where he served as president in 1985 and later as secretary-treasurer, he edited the association's newsletter after his retirement from The Daily News. For 42 years he was a board member of Applied Industries, a sheltered workshop for persons with disabilities, where he served as president, secretary and newsletter editor. He was a long-time member of Monticello and Earlybird Lions Clubs where he edited the clubs' newsletters and participated in many of their charitable activities. He also edited a newsletter for the Northwest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in Olympia, WA and Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longview, WA. 

After retirement, Jerry and his wife traveled extensively, including visits to Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., Toronto and Montreal. They also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean and three trips to Europe where they visited several countries. When not traveling, he enjoyed woodworking, photography, reading and producing on-line newsletters. He took computer and photography classes at LCC to improve his skills. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather who took great pride and joy in his family. 

Jerry, a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Longview, was a life-long Lutheran. He has served in many church capacities over the years, including congregational president, Sunday school teacher and choir member. He and his wife, Arleen, also produced Emmanuel's newsletter for several years, an activity he enjoyed and which he continued into his nineties. 

Surviving Jerry are his daughter Susan (David) McDonough of Gilbert AZ, sons David (Cathy) Engebo, Doug (Candi) Engebo of Longview, Chris (Kelly) Engebo of Kelso and sister Gloria Brandt of Mt. Vernon. 

He also is survived by ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Arleen, his parents, his sister and brother-in-law Marian and George Thompson and by his brother and sister-in-law Ronald and Jeanne Engebo. 

A celebration of Jerry's life will be held on Friday September 27 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. with Pastor Patrick Jones officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry's name to Emmanuel Lutheran Church. 

Arrangements by Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park and Crematory.