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Camp Courageous is deeply saddened upon the passing of Gerald (Jerry) Turry of Lincolnwood, IL.  Jerry´s enthusiasm for the Chicago Cubs carried through to the name of the large team of cyclists he led on RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) for many years-the Chicago Urban Bicycling Society (C.U.B.S.).  To say Jerry was a Cubs fan, is an understatement. He loved them and attending their games at Wrigley Field. He once said his mother would let him attend the games on his own when he was young, because no one else was there and he would be easy to spot on TV so she could keep an eye on him.  Jerry played a key role in transforming the C.U.B.S. from supporting a variety of Iowa projects, to supporting Camp Courageous at teammate Mike Conklin’s, recommendation.  Mike was a native of Lisbon, IA, a Cornell College graduate, a Chicago Tribune writer, a teacher at DePaul Universityand a C.U.B.S. Board Member.  It was extremely important to Jerry to say thank you to the people of Iowa for opening their hearts and homes to the C.U.B.S..  Jerry was delighted with the selection of Camp Courageous to support, having a daughter, Jennifer Turry, that had special needs, and used the services offered by Misericordia (https://www.misericordia.com). The relationship Jerry started may come full circle with Misericordia residents attending Camp Courageous in the future.  Jerry was so proud to give Camp Courageous Board Member, Jim Foels and myself a tour of Misericordia, along with his exceptional successor, Brad Prendergast, an attorney from Chicago, joined us.  The facilities were exceptional, and we learned so much.

Jerry was a Class Act!  When I first met him, I sensed he was either a former Marine Corps drill sergeant, a Physical Education Teacher, or an Athletic Director.  We had a wonderful relationship, but I always felt if he told me to drop and give him 20-push-ups, I would be ready😊.  With the strictness required to be a teacher, coach, Athletic Director, Mayor of Lincolnwood IL, and leader of nearly 100 bicyclists and a support team across Iowa…he needed to be strict, but his good and caring and loving personality always showed through as his #1 characteristic.  During the bus trip from Chicago to the west side of Iowa he was a stand-up comedian and jokester.  He was a joy to be around.

After being an Athletic Director for 17 years he was inducted into the Illinois Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in 2006.  In 2005, Jerry was elected Mayor of Lincolnwood and served until 2017. The Village of Lincolnwood honored him for his services to their community in 2023 with the dedication of the Gerald C. Turry Village Board Room.  Not that being the Mayor of Lincolnwood had anything to do with it, but it was always a thrill for the C.U.B.S. bus and support vehicles to get police escorts in and out of town.

As a result of Jerry Turry’s incredible integrity and respect everyone had for him, he introduced Camp Courageous to thousands of new friends…who have become lifetime supporters.  Camp’s sympathy goes out to Jerry’s wonderful wife and high school sweetheart of 59-years…Nancy…along with his family and friends.

One the the C.U.B.S. first projects at Camp was a classroom/party room in the Camp’s new indoor pool.  (L-R) Dana Nelson, a C.U.B.S. volunteer, Michael Conklin, and Jerry Turry.