Jerry P. Soderberg

Jerry Soderberg, age 88, passed away peacefully at home on June 17, 2026, with his wife, Gayle, and faithful dog, Winston, by his side. Born December 22, 1937, in Portland, Oregon, Jerry was the first of four children born to Pat and Hazel Soderberg. The son of a logger, Jerry’s early years were spent in and around the logging communities of Northwest Oregon, Southwest Washington, and Northern California.

From an early age, Jerry brought focus, discipline, and determination to everything he pursued. A gifted athlete, he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, earning 12 varsity letters and numerous conference honors while attending Eureka High School in Eureka, California, where he graduated in 1956.

He continued to distinguish himself at Santa Clara University, graduating magna cum laude in 1960. At Santa Clara, Jerry played on the varsity baseball team, served as R.O.T.C. Brigade Commander, won the Santa Barbara Medal, the Swartz FinancePrize, and the Isabel Jones Award, and was elected to Alpha Sigma Nu, the National Jesuit Honor Society.

During his senior year, Jerry met the love of his life, Gayle Meese, on a blind date. They were married four months later in Gayle’s hometown of Concord, California, beginning a college crush that grew into 66 years of marriage, adventure, and devotion.

After graduation, Jerry and Gayle departed for Germany, where Jerry served as an officer in the U.S. Army. When his tour of duty was complete, they returned to the United States, and Jerry began a career in the forest products industry that would carry forward both the roots of his childhood and the quiet steadiness of his leadership.

Jerry accepted a position with Fiberboard PaperProducts Corporation in San Francisco before moving his growing family to Walla Walla, Washington, to join Boise Cascade Corporation as the production manager at their Walla Walla, Washington Container Plant. He spent 25 years with Boise Cascade and, in 1982, was elected as an Executive Officer, serving as Vice President of the Pulp, Publishing, and Packaging Paper Division. Jerry then joined Canadian Pacific Forest Products, where he served as President of the White Paper Group, followed by President of the Newsprint Group. Jerry concluded his career after several successful restructuring assignments with domestic and international companies in the forest products industry. He enjoyed a rewarding career that began when he was a young boy working alongside his father in the woods and logging camps, and he earned the reputation throughout his professional life as a trusted leader and mentor.

As Jerry’s career took the family from Walla Walla to Memphis, Boise, and Portland, his and Gayle’s love remained the steady center of their lives while they raised their four children. In retirement, Jerry found joy in the mountain community of Sun Valley, Idaho. He was an avid skier, hunter, and lifelong runner. Locals in the Wood River Valley may remember Jerry on the hiking trails with his dog, Tracker, or skiing the slopes of Mt. Baldy.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife, Gayle; his four children, Shawn, Patrick, Kirstin, and Leigh; and his siblings, Patty Petersen, Virgil Soderberg, and Chris Soderberg. He adored his 17 granddaughters and great-granddaughters, who brought him immeasurable pride and joy.

Jerry will be remembered for the values he exemplified throughout his life: integrity, discipline, hard work, kindness, and the importance of always making time to escape to the mountains. The family requests that, in lieu of gifts, donations be made to the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization or the Hospice of Wood River Valley.

A celebration of life for Jerry will be held at a later date.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family in the guestbook section below.