Jerry Dean Divine passed away on June 14th, 2023, at Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, Kansas, from unexpected post-surgical complications. He was born on February 8, 1961, in Manhattan, Kansas and was 62 years old at the time of his passing.
Jerry led a life filled with love for his family and friends. He found immense joy in his career of printing, in attending live music events, in gardening, cooking and in all things sports… EMAW… Go Chiefs!
Jerry struggled in his life from drug addiction and his family is thankful that he worked hard to be free and was able to live the majority of his adult life drug free. In his battle against addiction he was a passionate leader and mentor through participation in multiple recovery fellowships. He loved to help others get free from their addictions and was an enthusiastic cheerleader for everyone who was part of his life. He was also a cancer survivor and led several Relay for Life teams to fight cancer.
Jerry grew up in Salina, Kansas, and in his late teens, while living in a rehabilitation home in Grand Island, Nebraska, got a job as an apprentice printer, which led into a 40-year career that he was passionate about. One of the things that always amazed Jerry’s family was that he could take apart and rebuild any printing press (or anything else) he ever experienced. Even rebuilding a press to full working condition that his employers were going to discard.
While Jerry was not personally musically inclined one of his greatest joys was that he spent the last years of his career as the Print Shop manager, printing record labels for Acoustic Sounds. It gave him great joy to print the labels for some of his favorite artists. Jerry was also very mischievously fun, especially with his family and friends. This is something that we will keep with us forever.
Jerry was a loving husband, son, brother, dad, grandad, uncle, and cousin. His 13-year marriage to Deidra was one of the greatest joys of his life. He is survived by his wife, Deidra Divine; his children, Morgan Baughman (Caden), Jacob Divine (Halley), Jeana Divine, Velia Ayotte; His parents; John Divine (Debbie), Sharon Fielding (Joe). He was blessed by five grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings; Jim Divine (Loida), Jennifer Divine (Chris).
A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 20th, at 11 am at Blue Heaven Studios, 201 S. Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas, followed by a reception luncheon.
In memory of Jerry’s vibrant, mischievous, and joyful spirit, the family kindly requests donations to be made to the family or to Relay for Life.
Jerry will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of those whose lives he touched with his warmth, kindness, and zest for life.