Jerry F. Herrin

1941 - 2013 | Obituary

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Mr. Jerry Francis Herrin, 72, North Hollywood, died of a heart attack at 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, at Four Seasons Wellness Center in Van Nuys, Calif.
He was born March 8, 1941, in Galesburg, Ill., the son of Irv and Mary Herrin. He was preceded in death by both his parents and his brother-in-law, Jim Olson. Jerry was laid to rest on Saturday, Oct. 12, at All Saints Church in Pasadena, Calif.
He is survived by his longtime partner, Eric Taylor of North Hollywood, Calif.; his sister, MaryAnn Olson of Galesburg; one nephew, Brad (Sheri) Olson of Aledo; and two nieces, Shelley (Jim) Upson of East Galesburg and Susie Olson of Galesburg. His extended family included six great-nieces and nephews; and five great-great-nieces and nephews.
Jerry was among those in the last graduating class from the old downtown Galesburg High School in 1959. He attended the University of Illinois and the Chicago School of Fine Arts and Design. His first job was at age 15 working in his dad's downtown restaurant, "Irv's Lunch." For eight years, Jerry skated with, "Ice Capades International," touring throughout the United States. From there, Jerry went on to become the head floral and set designer for the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. A top producer from Hollywood visiting the Dunes Hotel offered Jerry a chance to move to Hollywood and he began his movie and television career. He became the supervising set and costume creator for nearly 100 movies and TV series including: "The Waltons," "Quantum Leap," "The Six-Million Dollar Man," "The Bionic Woman," "The Lost Boys," "Bates Motel," and many more. He also appeared as the deceased husband of Anne Jillian in a made for TV movie, "Murder in the Mirror." For a complete list of Jerry's credits you can go to: IMDb.com/Jerry Herrin. In late 1979, he was asked to create two gowns for the upcoming 1980 Presidential Inaugural Ball.
In 2002, he retired from Hollywood and opened his own business in North Hollywood, "Jerric's Designs," and continued creating privately. Throughout the years, Jerry also donated his time and talent to various schools, churches and organizations with needs.
A man, never impressed with himself, grew to be loved, respected, and enjoyed by people wherever he worked, lived, or visited. Everyone was always welcome in his home where he personally cooked meals and made others feel appreciated and at home. Jerry's last visit to Galesburg was in the summer of 2012 for a month when he spent time visiting with family, friends, and those he loved so very much