Jerald R. Harrell (Jerry), age 90, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025 surrounded by his two sons and their families.
Jerry was born in Greenup, Kentucky to James William Harrell and Clara Lee Rice. He graduated from Male High School in Louisville, and received a bachelors and Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Louisville.
Upon graduation, Jerry joined the DuPont company at their Louisville works, then spent five years in Circleville, Ohio working on Mylar film, before transferring to the Elastomers Department at the Experimental Station in 1964. He spent the remainder of his career there. Even after official retirement, he continued working on Vamac for many years as a consultant.
Jerry was a Cub Scout dad (regularly placing in the top three in the Pinewood Derby!); a Little League umpire, and a Boy Scout dad. After NHL hockey came to Philadelphia, he got Flyers season tickets for the family to share for twenty-five years, which included their two Stanley Cup wins. He was also a devoted son and son-in-law, spending several weeks visiting family in Kentucky every year.
Together with his wife Barb, Jerry enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, attending the theater, and vacationing in Rehoboth Beach with friends. They were active members of Trinity Episcopal Church. Jerry and Barb were crazy about their grandchildren, and took each child on a special trip. Destinations included the American West, a Disney cruise, Alaska and the Yukon, New York City, Boston, Belize, NYC (again), and Ontario.
In addition to his natural family, Jerry enjoyed a long and rewarding relationship with his found family of similarly transplanted friends and neighbors in the north Wilmington subdivision of Chalfonte, where he lived for 30 years.
Jerry was predeceased by his wife of twenty-three years, Barbara Ford Harrell, his daughter-in-law Carolyn Youse Harrell, and his step-son-in-law Michael Welch.
Jerry is survived by: his son Douglas (Michelle); his son David (Edris), and their children William and Elise; his former wife, Caroline Bergman; his step-children Candace Ford (children Matthew and Andrew Welch), Tracey Boddie (Needham, children Nicole, Alexandra, Victoria), William Ford (Kelly, children Chelsea, Jessica); and his cousin Janie Harrell and her daughter Shannon Buynak (Sean, daughter Anissa).
Jerry was a kind and soft-spoken gentleman, beloved by all who knew him. He lives on in our fond memories. The family would like to thank Jerry’s caregivers at Griswold Home Care, and Coral Springs Healthcare Center.
A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home (3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington DE 19803). Visitation will begin at 11 a.m.
The service will be** livestreamed here** for those who cannot attend in person. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Parish.
For online condolences visit: mccreryandharra.com
