Jerrold James Chamberlain, age 89, passed away peacefully in his sleep early on the morning of March 30, 2026, to complications from ALS.
Jerry was born on July 25, 1936, at Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh, WI, while his family was living in Omro, WI. His parents were Oakley Edgar Chamberlain and Hazel Joyce Baldry Chamberlain.
Jerry moved twice during his early childhood to live with his family in Sparta and in Sturgeon Bay, while his father was building army barracks and large ships during WWII. After the War the family moved back to Omro.
Jerry graduated from Omro High School in 1954. He was in the Class Play and participated in track. He was on the Prom Court of Honor. He attended Oshkosh State University briefly.
Jerry then began working for Courtney & Plummer Co. in Neenah, WI, where his father was employed. He worked there for many years as a Truck Driver hauling gravel and helping build roads and parking lots until the company was dissolved. He then worked for 4X Corp. as a Truck Driver until he retired at age 57.
Jerry also served in the Army National Guard-Red Arrow Division for 7 years. He then served a year of active duty with the Guards out in the State of Washington in 1962. In later years he was an active member of the American Legion Post #234 in Omro.
As a boy, Jerry was always interested in airplanes. He built model airplanes and exhibited them at Meets with other young people.
As a teenager, Jerry began working at the Omro Airport. It was often his job to chase the cows off the runway with his motorbike. While there, he learned all there was to know about airplanes. When a pilot cracked up her plane, Jerry took the propeller home, made a clock out of the propeller, and hung it on the wall of the living room for many years.
At age 15 years, Jerry began taking flying lessons at the airport. He took his first Solo Flight on his 16th birthday. He immediately followed that by taking his mother up as his first passenger, and then his sister up as his second passenger. Due to regulations, he had to wait until his 17th birthday to obtain his private pilot’s license. In a newspaper article, he was acknowledged as being one of the youngest licensed pilots in the State of Wisconsin at the time.
He then bought his single-passenger Piper Cub Airplane. He owned it for several years and flew it to Fly In Meets around this part of the country.
Jerry always enjoyed building things. He helped his father remodel the entire family home including the wiring in the 1960s. He always kept his own home and yard in perfect condition. He could fix almost anything.
While working in his workshop and boathouse on the Fox River, he designed and then built his own Airboat and airplane propeller that he ran on the Fox River for many years.
When snowmobiling first became popular, Jerry looked at a few pictures. He then designed and build his own snowmobile, which he called Old Faithful. He later bought Arctic Cat machines and was a long time member of the Cruising Paths Snowmobile Club. He and 4 other close friends spent many winter days snowmobiling together throughout Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan for many years.
Jerry began hunting and fishing with his dad at a very young age. He got his first deep hunting license at the earliest age possible. He went deer hunting for 70 consecutive years.
Jerry spent many years fishing in his boat on the Fox River. He was also an avid trout fisherman. He fished for trout, until recently, on the Emmons Creed at the family cabin in Portage County.
Jerry also traveled some during his lifetime visiting relatives in Florida, seeing Disneyland in California, and traveling throughout the State of Washington. He saw the National Parks of Montana and went to Texas and Mexico. He also drove to Canda and traveled around Lake Superior.
In later years he had a camper and enjoyed camping with his sister at WI State Parks, State Forests and National Forests.
Jerry was always interested in nature and conversation. He enjoyed walking daily.
He enjoyed living in Omro near the river. He was always there for his friends, neighbors and relatives when they needed help of any kind.
Jerrold is survived by his sister, Gloria Chamberlain of Omro. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oakley and Hazel Chamberlain; an older sister, Jacqueline Joyce Chamberlain who died at age 11 years; and a younger brother, Duane Earl Chamberlain who died in infancy.
A very grateful thank you goes to all of Jerry’s friends, neighbors and relatives who helped him, visited him, phoned him and brought him food during his recent illness. It was much appreciated.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 1:00pm at the Omro Cemetery with military honors. Friends, neighbors and relatives are invited to attend.