Jerry Lee's Family

Hi, my name is Ron Kramer and I was with Jerry on Friday night.  This past Friday started off as a usual day at work,  I knew Friday would be a good day because I knew  only  the 2 of us we be working. I loved working with Jerry, as he always knows how to put a smile on the faces of those around him. Days working with Jerry were always more enjoyable for everyone around him since his contagious happiness, joy for life, and outgoing nature kept vibes positive and teamwork high.

 To know Jerry was to like Jerry. I’ve never met a person who was not immediately drawn to Jerry after meeting him. Oftentimes, Jerry had a calming presence that naturally put everyone around him at ease. His sense of calm, combined with his infectious kindness made anything bad you were going though fade away. This is why I am still struggling with what became of our otherwise usual workday Friday.

 Around 5pm, armed men attempted to rob the dealership.  Police and Paramedics tried to save Jerry, but all attempts failed. He was killed while trying to earn an honest living by men who were trying to steal what they hadn’t worked for, and they were willing to hurt and kill in order to do so.

 I am still trying to reconcile how the man who was kind to everyone and always treated strangers like they were friends and family, was murdered by strangers who he would have likely helped had they asked him.

 Jerry was a family man who always spoke highly of his wife and family. In fact, one of our last conversations was of him telling me about how he was looking forward to helping his son buy a car in the near future. Jerry always brightened up when talking about his family - his love and pride for them was evident whenever he talked about them and in all that he did. 

 I have set up this Go Fund Me for Jerry’s wife Robin, the love of his life and for the rest of their family. I have set up this fund because I feel utterly helpless. As a husband, father, and provider- I cannot even begin to think of all the ways Robin and their family may be in need of support: from funeral expenses, day to day living expenses in replacing his income, to future mental health care to help this precious family heal from such a senseless act.

 Recently, Jerry’s wife had been in a terrible car accident involving an 18 wheeler and he had become also her caregiver. Jerry never let this bother him - he just felt blessed that he still had his wife and best friend and dedicated himself to helping her heal. Sweet Robin has lost his help, his care, his income, and the thing that mattered most: his love. While nothing can replace this, we as a community of people can help ease their burdens.

 I ask you to please consider donating what you can, even if you have never had the pleasure of meeting Jerry, because in the auto industry we are a close network of people. His fate could have been any of ours, and as an industry we have always taken care of our own as we would hope others would take care of our families.

 I was blessed to work with Jerry and called him my friend. I humbly ask each of you to donate what you can - no amount is  too small and will help support his family and allow his soul to rest in peace after a violent end that should never have happened. If you cannot donate financially, remember to share a smile, and bless others with kindness as Jerry did for us.

A generous individual from the Auto Industry has said he will match all donations up to $20,000.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and kindness to the Lee family. God Bless you all.