Jerry Konoske NA7Z

Gerald (Jerry) Konoske, passed away suddenly on Jan. 21, 2025 at the age of 86.

   Jerry was born on February 15, 1938, in Altadena, California, and was raised in nearby Pasadena. He spent his childhood working at his father’s produce section of “Our Market” in South Pasadena, and was active in numerous activities, including water polo and scouting. He proudly attained the rank of Eagle Scout during his time as a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Sea Explorer Scout.

   After attending Pasadena City College, where he earned an AA degree in electronics, Jerry worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and served in the National Guard. In July 1958, Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he trained at Ft. Ord and Ft. Godson, before being stationed as a Military Police officer in New York. It was there that he met the love of his life, Rosemarie. Jerry proposed to her before leaving for Frankfurt, Germany, but Rosemarie had a condition—Jerry needed to be gainfully employed first!

   Upon his honorable discharge in 1961, Jerry returned to California and joined the San Marino Police Department, where he worked his way up to sergeant. During his 16 years of service, Jerry continued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Police Science from California State University, Los Angeles.

   In 1977, Jerry became the Police Chief for the City of Perris, California, and in 1979, he transitioned to the same role at the Willits Police Department. In 1986, Jerry and Rosemarie moved to Issaquah, Washington, where Jerry worked as a Communications Specialist at the King County Police Communications Center until his retirement in 2004, after a total of 42 years of dedicated service.

   Outside of his professional life, Jerry was a lifelong learner with a wide range of interests. He loved the outdoors, from camping and fishing to biking, and became deeply involved in amateur radio (call sign NA7Z). His passion for radio included volunteering for emergency communications and helping to build amateur radio repeaters. Jerry and Rosemarie enjoyed traveling, often taking road trips across the country, and they even made a memorable trip to Germany, exploring the towns and cities of their families’ origins.

   Jerry’s love for the outdoors had a lasting impact on his family, especially through camping trips in Yosemite and California’s national parks. These trips, often with his children in tow, became cherished family memories that shaped their love of nature.

   In 2016, Jerry and Rosemarie moved into an assisted living facility in Issaquah, where Jerry quickly became a well-loved member of the community. Despite his declining health in 2024, Jerry remained engaged with his family through regular Sunday Zoom calls and continued to be an active and supportive presence in the lives of those around him.

   Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rosemarie; his children, Patrick, Luci, and Mark; eight grandchildren; and many other family members, friends, and former colleagues.

   Jerry and Rosemarie attended IARC meetings several years ago, but has been inactive the last few years. Many older member probably remember them. - Feb 5, 2025