Gerald Eugene Webster

Gerald Eugene Webster was born February 27, 1975 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Danville, IL., the only son of Marjorie Lynn Gasper-Webster and Donald Eugene Webster.  Jerry attended Daniel, South View and Danville High School, graduating 1993. Jerry studied Liberal Arts at Southeastern Illinois College. In his childhood he played baseball at the Tilton Ballpark, in the position of pitcher, and met friends who maintained their friendships throughout his life.  Jerry was also a Boy Scout. Jerry found his love of skateboarding and perfected his technique, and became proficient at that sport.  In his adult life he loved Classic cars and enjoyed working at the BMW of Peoria and Green Chevrolet.
Jerry is survived by his Lady, Tasha Thornton & her children: Jordan, Leighlonni & Brandon.  His Mother, Marjorie Lynn Gasper.   Paternal Aunt's; Pat Cunningham, Sharon Webster & Rhonda Boening.  Paternal Cousins; Dayne, Shawn and Nickelas Webster, Tammy Grant, Kevin Boening.  Maternal Cousins; Jim & Billy Gasper, Andrew Gasper & Jeremy Vance.  Step-sister, Jada Thornton.  Maternal Aunt's; Marilyn Elizabeth Gasper-Vance; Carla Rosemarie Gasper-Fontana and Dorothea Louise Gasper.  Maternal Uncle's Steve & Ron Gasper.   
Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Donald Eugene Webster. Step-sister Megan Webster. Paternal Grandparents; Russell Eugene & Sarah Webster.  Maternal Grandparents; Steve & Lucille Faye Smith-Gasper. Paternal Uncle's; William & Richard Webster. Maternal Uncle's; William & Richard Gasper.  Paternal Cousin; Kim Willett.  Maternal Cousin's; Kimberly Gasper, Laura & Regina Gasper-Hunter.
I reached out to Jerry's Lady and one of his BFF's to write a memory of Jerry, which follows;
From Tasha;  I love this man!  Some call him Web, Webster, Jerry, Jer or Gerald.  Most know that he had his struggles.  What I do know for sure is he was loving, caring, smart and so insightful. Funny as heck! His sense of humor is one of the things that attracted me to him.  We could always share a good laugh. There are so many inside jokes that we had. "Tasha, get your dang purse and get in the truck". That's the clean version!.Infectious smile and laughter. Thank you for making me smile and brightening my day.
     His loved ones meant so much to him. There were countless stories he would share. It never ceased to amaze me the details he could remember. Many loving moments with his friends and family.There may have been points in his life that caused him to lose focus, but he never stopped loving those he cared for. He loved so hard. All of those shared memories meant the world to him and he kept them close to his heart.
     Every last person who gave me their condolences commented on how good of a person Jerry was. Most importantly, my children did. Jerry didn't have any biological children, but he was a part of my children's lives for 9+ years. There's nothing he wouldn't do for them or my family even. That means so much to me. Just like you do, I can only hope and pray you know that your heart shined bright and we could all see it. You will never be forgotten.  Rest easy.  Love you always.  - Tasha Thornton
From Luke Ahring;  Jerry, J-Web, Weaver, Webster a man known by many names, probably too many to list here. It would be an impossibly long list of people to mention if I tried to list everyone that had a funny story, or fond memory of Jerry.  If you were lucky enough to call him friend, brother, uncle, son, or nephew then you'll understand what a deep effect he had on those that knew him.
     I first met Jerry playing Little League Baseball at Central Foundry Ballpark in Tilton, IL. We were on different teams, and probably talked a lot of smack to each other in those days. Jerry was a natural athlete, he excelled at pretty much everything that he tried. It wan't until years later that he would become on of my best friends. We had both found a love for skateboarding, and to say that skateboarding took over our lives would be an understatement. Jerry spent many days and nights along with myself, and a whole crew of skateboarders that looked at each other as Brothers. Spending every spare moment either pushing each other to learn new tricks, talk about skateboarding, watch skateboarding, just totally engulfed in that skateboarding lifestyle. That carried over into adulthood and it was always a part of our lives.  I have several funny stories about Jerry, and I'll share a couple here;
     A group of us had decided to travel over to an indoor Skate park in Indianapolis called TA. It was on a weekend, and it was packed with skaters. Almost as soon as we arrived, Jerry had spotted a well-known Pro-Skateboarder who just happened to be there that day skateboarding. Jerry recognized him right away, and came over to us telling us, "Bro, that's Mark Heintzman!", to which we replied, "No it's not, stop tripping." About 20 mins later he came back over and said, "Bro, I'm telling you it's Mark Heintzman!". To which we responded, "Whatever Man, why would he be skating here Man? That's not him!"  Another20 mins or so rolls by, Jerry comes up to us with this guy by his side, with what is probably to this day one of the most satisfied looks I've ever seen on anyone's face, Jerry says, "Bro, aren't you Mark Heintzman?" and the guy very awkwardly says, "I am Mark Heintzman" and skated off in a hurry, but it was indeed him and Jerry was right the whole time. That 'I told you so' smirk is still burned into my memory--30 yrs later.
     There was another time on a skate trip where we were all piled into my friend, Steven's '72 Pontiac Catalina to see a Pro-Skateboarding Demo and Video Premiere in Champaign, Il. There was another car load of Danville skater that were following closely behind us during the trip. Somehow, both carloads of had gotten a hold of a bunch of bottle rockets. Like the really dumb kids that we were, we preceded to have a bottle rocket war between the 2 cars going down I-74 (sorry Mom). In the car that Jerry and I were in (the Catalina) there were probably about 6-7 of us all together. Jerry, myself and 2 others in the back, 3 guys up front. The person that was sitting shotgun next to the passenger side window was our 'gunner'. There were several times where shooting the bottle rocket out of the passenger side front window (all windows were rolled down) would almost go in through the passenger side rear window.  After a few close calls with that, those of us in the back seat were getting a little antsy. Finally, a bottle rocket was released that went directly into the back seat and behind Jerry, just before it blew up Jerry leaped into the front seat of the Catalina and landed head first with his feet in the air and his head on the floorboard.  Just about that time, the radiator hose gave out and the car started smoking profusely. We had to pull over in Ogden to do roadside repairs. We eventually got to the Demo in one piece, but it wasn't for lack of trying otherwise.
     I honestly could write a book about those days. Every trip was an adventure, we were full of energy and physical stamina that I still wish we had. The way we could push each other to things on our skateboards that we never thought was possible is something I still draw motivation from to this day.  He will never be forgotten.    -Jeff Turner

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