Jerry Korando

Korando, Jerry Ralph 76, passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2016 surrounded by family. Jerry was born in St. Louis, Missouri on June 10, 1939 to Ralph W. and E. Elizabeth (nee Heinrich) Korando. He made his debut 6 weeks early at just 4 1/2 pounds and was known locally as the youngest baby to survive in 1939 with the help of an iron lung. That survival spirit grew into entrepreneurial skills as he navigated paper routes, lawn services, and working as a car hop at Steak N Shake. An Amoco service station franchise inspired him to start Crystal Frost Ice Company out of his mother's freezer, the pinnacle of which was realized when he was honored as a guest speaker at an International Packaged Ice Association annual convention. He later moved into real estate and rental investments. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1956 at the age of 17, then immediately enlisted in the Army. After completing basic training at Fort Leonardwood he went on to learn Field Artillery at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Following those 6 months he was on active reserves for 6 1/2 years and inactive reserves for an additional year before being honorably discharged as a sergeant. During his enlistment, he was an ROTC cadet while attending University of Missouri Rolla, then transferred to University of Missouri Columbia where he graduated with his business degree. Jerry was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha, Alpha Chi Omega, and Delta Sigma Pi fraternities. Jerry was very active in his church, Redeemer Evangelical Church. He enjoyed singing and was a member of the church choir for most of his life. Music was always an important aspect of his life. He loved to play the ukulele and shared his talent at every opportunity. Jerry also loved to travel. He participated in several mission trips, explored his family's heritage in the Czech Republic, sailed around Greece, and visited a number of other foreign and domestic points of interest. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Charlene Crenshaw and brother-in-law Melvin. He is survived by his three daughters, Nancy Korando, Suzanne (Matthew) Johnstone and Liz (Donnovan) Knight; nephews Kenneth and Kevin Crenshaw; grandchildren Zachary and Brianne Korando, Colton and Jarett Johnstone, Nora and Claire Detchemendy, and Raven, Thorn, and Tempest Knight; great-grandchildren Zavian Harvey and Roman Korando; great-nephews Matthew and Benjamin Crenshaw, great-niece Olivia Crenshaw. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association are appreciated. May 13, 2016
04:00 pm - 08:00 pm
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons
7027 Gravois Avenue (63116)
May 14, 2016
10:30 am - 11:30 am
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons
7027 Gravois Avenue (63116)