Gerald John Luthin

5/7/1937 – 2/27/2025

Gerald “Jerry” John Luthin, 87, a retired construction company president, died peacefully at his home in Loomis, CA, after a long illness.

A private family funeral service will be held. Arrangements are being handled by Calvary Funeral Center in Citrus Heights, CA.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; his children Kathryn (Thomas) Kotynski of Great Falls, MT; Christopher Luthin of Citrus Heights, CA; Ted (Joanna) Luthin of Sebastopol, CA; and Melinda Luthin of Corona Del Mar, CA; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Born in Berkeley, CA, to Harry and Marguerita (Viale) Luthin, Jerry grew up with a strong work ethic and adventurous spirit. His father worked as a construction superintendent, often traveling for jobs, while his mother managed the home. He attended Berkeley High School, where he played football and earned his Eagle Scout badge. After graduating early in the fall of 1954, he enrolled at USC for one semester before transferring to UCLA.

During his time at UCLA, Jerry was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Homsy, at a fraternity party. Early in their courtship, he dedicated weekends to helping his mother with errands while his father was away for work as she did not drive, a reflection of his deep sense of responsibility. Jerry and Barbara married on July 4, 1959, shortly after their college graduation, he with a degree in construction management. He later earned an MBA from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, CA.

Jerry had a long and accomplished career in construction and management. He worked for Guy F. Atkinson during the construction of the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge in Seattle, the longest of its kind at the time. He also served as purchasing manager for East Bay MUD and the Port of Oakland before moving to Montana in 1975, where he worked in real estate and later became purchasing manager for Montana Power Co., overseeing procurement for the construction of the Colstrip power plants. Upon returning to California, he joined Foundation Constructors, a pile-driving company, where he rose to the position of president. He retired in 1999.

Outside work, Jerry was an avid big-game hunter and fisherman, traveling extensively for hunts across the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada, and Africa. He and Barbara also shared a love of international travel, visiting destinations across Europe, China, and the Middle East, often connecting with their extended families in the Netherlands, Italy, and Barbara’s ancestral homeland. They were also passionate RV campers, embracing the freedom of the open road. The children and grandchildren remember many epic cross-country trips to Yellowstone, Florida, Washington DC, Canada, the Grand Canyon in addition to camping in California, flying to Italy and a cruise to Mexico.

A lifelong nature lover, he had a special admiration for birds, with a particular fondness for ducks. He faithfully collected every federal duck stamp as they were issued, treasuring the artistry and conservation efforts they represented. His love for animals extended to dogs, and he held a special place in his heart for fox terriers. In addition to his love of nature, he was an avid stamp collector, a passion he inherited from his Dutch grandfather.

Jerry had a creative side, particularly in painting, lapidary, and glass art. Alongside Barbara, he designed and created the stained-glass windows for their church. Many friends and family members cherish the polished stone cabochons he handcrafted into jewelry.

A car enthusiast, Jerry took great pride in restoring his Model A, which he purchased in pieces in 1961 and meticulously rebuilt, doing the mechanics, painting and the bodywork himself. Later, he acquired a 1940 Mercury, the same model as his first car, rekindling fond memories of his early years.

Known for his precision and organization, Jerry could fix just about anything and took pride in his well-stocked and meticulously arranged workshop. He knew just the tool you needed for any particular job and where to find it. His family recalls that he was always early—often waiting in the car half an hour before it was time to leave—a trait he instilled in his children: the importance of punctuality.

Jerry was a member of St. Joseph Morello Church in Granite Bay.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Joann Cumero, and his uncle and cherished hunting companion, Angelo Viale.

In honor of his passion for conservation and the outdoors, memorial contributions may be made to Ducks Unlimited or California Waterfowl Association.