Jerry Fellows Obituary

Jerry Kenneth Fellows
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Jerry Kenneth Fellows announces his passing in Downers Grove, IL on May 18, 2023, at the age of 77, after a long battle with dementia. He lived a wonderful life and will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him. Remembered for his honesty, fairness, generosity, kindness, and elite dancing skills, Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 54 years, Patricia ('Patti'), two of his sons, Jonathon (Valencia) and Daniel (Katie), his daughter-in-law, Dena, his two sisters, Janie (Al) and Anne, and the true loves of his life, his seven grandchildren, Max (8), Ivy (8), Stu (10), Amara (11), Zoe (14), Jaden (17), and McKenna (18). Jerry was predeceased by, and now rests in peace with, his cherished son, Aaron.
Jerry was born on March 19, 1946, in Madison, Wisconsin and grew up in Jefferson, Wisconsin. He was a talented three-sport athlete in high school, excelling as a pitcher in baseball, a quarterback in football, and an undersized center in basketball. He followed in his father's footsteps and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating in 1968. He subsequently attended the University of Minnesota Law School, earning his law degree in 1971. Jerry became a world-class attorney for over 30 years, specializing in employee benefits law for McDermott, Will, and Emery, and later for Bell, Boyd, and Lloyd.
One of Jerry's guiding principles was, 'You work to live. You don't live to work.' As a result, he was incredibly disciplined-out the door for work by 6 a.m. every day so he could be home in time for family dinner and present for all his sons' sporting events and other extracurricular activities throughout the years. Years ago, he had the wisdom to suggest, 'We need to travel while we're young and healthy.' To that end, Jerry and Patti were able to travel the world, visiting the polar bears in Alaska, taking a safari in Africa, hiking the trails of Machu Pichu, vacationing in Italy, Australia, Costa Rica, and Cuba, and of course, celebrating a Wisconsin Badgers Rose Bowl Championship in Pasadena, just to name a few.
Raising his family in Downers Grove, IL, Jerry was a pillar of the church and the community, serving as a mentor, a volunteer, a coach, and a philanthropist. He was extraordinarily generous with his time and his resources for anyone who needed him. But above all, he always put his family first and was a model husband, father, brother, and grandfather.
Memorial Visitation Friday, June 9th, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home, 4343 Main Street, Downers Grove. Memorial Service Saturday, June 10th, 10:00 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 4801 Main Street, Downers Grove. Interment Private. After the funeral, the family will host a luncheon at Emmett's Brewing Company at 5200 Main Street in Downers Grove. All are invited to join and share their personal memories of Jerry. Should friends desire, and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jerry's honor may be made to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI). Attn.: Advancement Office, 1001 E. Touhy Avenue, Ste. 50, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018 or www.lssi.org/donate. Information: 630-968-1000 or www.adamswinterfieldsullivan.com.