In Loving Memory

Gerald Jay Pounds

Gerald Jay Pounds passed away April 29, 2024, in Spokane, Washington. He was born June 29, 1938, in Smith Center, Kansas to the late Darrell and Phyllis (Patterson) Pounds. Jay grew up on a farm in Kansas. From a very young age, he was actively working on the farm with his dad and brothers, Dee and Norman. When Jay was in high school, the family left the farm and moved to town. For the first time, they had electricity, and a television. Jay was also able to be more involved in extracurricular activities at school which made him very happy. Jay was always top of his class academically and graduated from Red Cloud High School at the age of 16 in 1955. In 1956, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He was stationed in Coos Bay Oregon, Smith Island Lighthouse and Grays Harbor, both in Washington. It was while in Grays Harbor that he met and fell in love with Regina (Gina) Ann Gross. The couple was married on June 22, 1964, and days later moved to Juneau Alaska to his new duty station. It was in Juneau that their two sons, Gary and Terry were born. In 1968 the family moved to Wisconsin to a new station. While in Wisconsin, Jay and Gina enjoyed square dancing, camping and many other outdoor activities with their boys. While they raised a family in Wisconsin, Jay was steadily advancing rank in the Coast Guard. The family moved back to the Seattle area for Jay's final station and after 23 years of service he retired from the Coast Guard in 1979 as a Commander. Following his military retirement, Jay went back to school and studied accounting. He became a teacher at Bellevue Community College and later moved to accounting jobs with the Bellevue Tribune and the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra. He retired for good in 1991. Both sons were grown and out of the house and Jay and Gina moved back to Boulder Jct, Wisconsin to spend their retirement years. While in Boulder Jct., they made many wonderful friends and were very involved in the Community Church. Jay loved to hunt and fish. He had the opportunity to travel to South Africa on a safari, and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. He fondly talked about it many times through the years with his children and grandchildren. At least once a year Jay and Gina would travel to Washington to see their family. It was always a good time with Grandma and Grandpa. He loved being with his grandchildren and he was very special to them. He taught them how to ride bikes and always had great stories to tell about his childhood and years in the Coast Guard. Jay was always a generous, kind, hardworking man. He was the one who took care of everyone else. He was very good at woodworking and very meticulous in whatever job he did. Jay never left a job unfinished. From the start to the last bit of cleanup there was nothing left undone. In July of 2018, Jay and Gina made one final move to Colville Washington to be with their family. They celebrated 55 years of marriage in 2019. A few months after, Gina passed away. Jay missed her dearly. He remained very close with his sons and grandchildren and moved in with Terry and family in 2020.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Gina, and son Gary. He is survived by his son Terry Pounds (Amy) of Kettle Falls, WA, Grandchildren, Jordan Pounds, Serena Willcoxon (Brittany), Mallory Pounds, and Benjamin Pounds, great granddaughter Violet Matney. Brothers Dee and Norman Pounds and various cousins.