Gerald "Jerry" F. Dalrymple

Gerald F. "Jerry" Dalrymple, 89, passed on July 2, 2014 at his home in Seminole after a long illness. He served in the US Marines in the South Pacific during WWII and later in Korea. He married the love of his life, Nina, and moved from Danville, IL to Florida in 1950. A self-made man and entrepreneur, Jerry worked in a variety of fields. In his early years he built custom furniture and sold appliances eventually becoming a Real Estate developer and Broker, co-owning Jim Allen Homes and later owning Bayside Development and Viking Boatworks. The sea always tugged at his heart and he eventually designed and built the motor vessel Murphy's Law which he Captained and traveled the world with his wife. Jerry is survived by his daughters, Nina Stafford of The Villages and Cara (Andrew) Kessler of Largo, sisters Mary Shields of Gainesville, Missouri and Ann Knaak of Hoffman Estates, IL, 5 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren and his beloved nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his parents, his son, John "Jack" Peterson, nephew Jerry Peterson and niece Penny Jo Peterson Felix. Over the years, Jerry was active in the 2nd Marine Division Reunions, made generous donations to their association, the Audobon Society, the Sheriff's Boys Ranch, and to the local Marine Institute. A service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 19th at Church by the Sea, 495 137th Ave. Circle, Madeira Beach, with a reception to follow at the family's home (details distributed at service). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to AMIkids a non-profit organization that provides kids with the opportunity to transform into responsible young adults, 5915 Benjamin Center Drive, Tampa, FL 33634 (www.amikids.org); the Semper Fi Fund which provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support for wounded, critically-ill and injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families (www.semperfifund/donate), or the charity of your choice. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Central Avenue Chapel in St. Petersburg is serving the family. Service Information