Gerald Villars

Gerald (Jerry) Kenneth Villars was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 30, 1929, and died in Denver, Colorado on June 24, 2022, at the age of 92.  Jerry had a deep sense of curiosity about humanity, the world, and the space beyond our world.  He was a composer and a poet, which he shared through his inventive imagination reflected in the K-12 school plays and musicals he produced.  Together with his siblings, he was a member of the Young Pennsylvanians touring musical group as a child.  He was a virtuoso at the piano, violin, and saxophone.  Friends and family were delighted when he sat at the piano and played from memory: classical, popular, and big band music. Those who knew him were always profoundly taken by his intellect, his knowledge, and his artistic and creative talents.  He brought the light of a rich and very remarkable life to his beloved wife, his children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Jerry received a B.A. degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, a Distinguished Fellowship from Yale, and both an M.A. degree and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in Boulder.  His professional career spanned four decades in the field of education, including the formation of Colorado’s Gifted and Talented Program.  Among his many awards was the Vincent Van Gogh Award for Outstanding Leadership in Arts Education from the Association of American Educators.

Jerry is survived by Jeannine, his wife of 33 years, Eleanor Bertram, his first wife; children Scott (Karina), Susan (Van) Spence, Doug (Anita), Marc (Kris), Olga Dow, Mirelle (Shane) Foster; eighteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  Preceded in death by his brother, Conway; his sisters, Shirley Lang, June Wille, Virginia Oliver, Nancy Mulliken and Dawn Hilbert; and two grandchildren.

Per Jerry’s wishes, in place of a formal service, there will be small family celebrations of his life.

His wisdom, ethical pursuits, intellectual endeavors, artistic talents, and uncompromising moral compass were the guiding philosophical principals of the beloved Jerry Villars.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered on behalf of "Jerry Villars" to the Children's Diabetes Foundation by following the link below:

https://www.childrensdiabetesfoundation.org/donate/