Gerald McDermott Born February 4, 1941, Died April 22, 2025

Gerald (Jerry) Patrick McDermott, beloved husband, father, and lawyer passed away at home, the night of April 22, 2025, at the age of 84.

Jerry was raised on Lake Street in Pueblo Colorado by George and Eileen McDermott who also raised his older sister, Eileen. Jerry attended Catholic schools and graduated from Pueblo Catholic in 1959. While at Pueblo Catholic, Jerry played on the school's football team, an experience which he credited with giving him valuable life lessons which formed the building blocks to a successful career and life.

Jerry attended Colorado State University. During the summer of 1962, while visiting his hometown of Pueblo he met Rosemarie Juinta. Rosemarie agreed to date Jerry, even though she was taken aback when he told her on their first date that she was the woman that he was going to marry. Jerry turned out to be right. After Jerry and Rosemarie finished their degrees in Fort Collins they were married in Pueblo on February 20, 1965. Although Jerry was not right all the time, he and Rosemarie remained married for the rest of his life.

Jerry received his law degree from the University of Denver in 1969. Prior to receiving his law degree, among other endeavors, Jerry was a reading clerk for the Colorado State Legislature during the 1965-66 session. While attending law school, Jerry also worked as a Probation Officer supervising juveniles. During his time as a probation officer, he believed in second chances, and managed the kids he supervised, consistent with this philosophy.

While in law school, Jerry clerked for Kripke, Hoffman, Carrigan & Dufty. He returned to work there after working in the Adams County Public Defenders Office. Working at this firm was the beginning of a fruitful career in private practice advocating on behalf of people.

During this career, Jerry had many accomplishments; too many to mention. Among these accomplishments, Jerry was a recipient of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association's Norman Kripke Lifetime Achievement Award. Jerry was the President of this organization from 1985-86. During his tenure as President, he advocated to the state legislature on behalf of consumers against laws which he believed would harm consumers and make the public less safe.

Jerry was invited to be a member of invitation-only legal organizations such as the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the International Society of Barristers. He received regular listings in the Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers. Jerry also participated in several other legal organizations and committees. He mentored young lawyers in organizations such as the Rhone Brackett Inn of Court and informal settings as well.

Jerry was a principled lawyer who believed in fighting on behalf of regular people. Doing this, Jerry had one of the first significant judgments in Colorado against a major automotive company for not adequately protecting people who rode in their vehicles. This was one of many representative cases which showed Jerry's dedication to his clients.
Jerry was known as a tenacious attorney who would ardently advocate for his clients in an assertive but respectful manner. He earned the respect of not only colleagues and clients, but his opponents as well.

Jerry and Rosemarie had two boys, Sean and Brian, whom they raised in Denver. Despite a very busy and full work schedule, Jerry made sure that he participated in his sons' activities, and that they were raised in a way which would respect the roots of where he and his wife Rosemarie came from.

Later in life, Jerry enjoyed a grandson, named Liam, and an extended family provided by his son Brian's wife, Maria.

Jerry is survived by his immediate and extended family, and his niece Ellen Eggleston.

Service is scheduled for Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Fairmount Cemetery at the Quebec Place Funeral Home. It begins at two o'clock p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to a charity of your choice or to the McDermott Family Scholarship, Colorado State University Foundation.