HOTCHKISS GERALD (JERRY) of Deltona passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon March 26 2013 at the age of 52. He loved his wife Lisa (and was her rock and support) family friends and his feathered (Birdie Boo) and furry (Gabi and Justice) kids. Jerry and Lisa met on July 23 1998 and married exactly 5 months later (Dec. 23 1998). We adopted Birdie Boo on October 31 2002. Gabi came along in 2008 and Justice came to us in 2009. He loved riding his Gold Wing motorcycle. Short distances were ok but the long rides were the best. He was a member of the Iron Butt Association (long distance rides). He loved mountain roads and especially the curves at Deal's Gap the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Cherohala Skyway. He was proud to complete the 50 CC ride - coast to coast in 50 hours or less. He invested time and energy in friendships. He didn't depend on the other person to keep in contact. He was a great friend to so many people - too many to list. Jerry was a natural leader. He was larger than life physically mentally and emotionally. Many of us joked about ""Jerry time"". If a trip normally took 1 hour Jerry said that he would be there in 30 minutes. Jerry liked being a machinist and enjoyed visiting the shops that he supported. He enjoyed working with his hands. He loved to travel. He was able to go to Japan Canada Poland Scotland... as well as almost every state. He loved his cigars and solved all of the world's problems when smoking with his friends. He was very smart in so many ways. He loved working on computers and networking issues. His latest triumph was placing movies and music on a server that could be watched on the TV. Jerry didn't give up. He made things happen. He loved watching movies and listening to music. Jerry was politically conservative. He was never one to hold back his opinions on anything. He was stubborn but listened to people that he respected. His nicknames are the Big Galoot (for friends) and Butch (for family). Jerry was a great cook and baker. He made the best meatballs chocolate chip cookies BBQ chicken and spiedies (all made from scratch). He was always on the lookout for the best burger pizza BBQ or wings. Usually this meant that the guys were going for a ride to find the perfect lunch. Going to Georgia for a lunch ride was common. Jerry joined the CrossFit gym in July of 2011. He started working out and watching his diet and successfully lost over 70 pounds. He loved his time and the support that he received at the gym. Jerry liked to put on ""epic"" cookouts. We have had as many as 50 at our home for a cookout. Jerry loved to take pictures of everything. While on motorcycle trips he always wanted to capture the surrounding beauty. He had a eye for perspective shots (railroad tracks tunnels long hallways...). One time he was on a flight and managed to get 3 beautiful photos of the shuttle going up. Jerry had a tough exterior but was tender hearted. Jerry and Lisa loved going to Vegas and had planned on going back this spring. We love the energy the shows walking through the hotels driving up and down the strip and going to Freemont Street. Jerry loved riding there too. Each trip had to include a motorcycle ride for him.
Survived by his loving wife and best friend Lisa Hotchkiss. Preceded in death by Grandparents Gerald and Olga Hotchkiss Dorothy (Frank) Wolanski and Step-daughter Annie Burch. Survived by Mother Joyce and Stepfather James Woods. Survived by Father Gerald and Stepmother Jacqueline Hotchkiss. Sisters Patty (John) Racin Alicia (Roger) Fields Brothers Dana (Yvonne) Hotchkiss James (Lisa) Woods Timothy (Victoria) Woods. Nieces Lindsay and Alexis nephews Tanner and Byron. Aunt Yvonne Doucett. He was especially close to his cousin Merle Chamberlin who he rode motorcycles with. Mother-in-law Linda Powell Father-in-law Buck Powell brothers-in-law Jeff Powell Dan (Lorraine) Powell and Niece Nicole.
A Life Celebration in his honor will be held Saturday March 30th @ 1:00pm at Lohman Funeral Home Deltona Chapel 1681 Providence Blvd Deltona FL 32725. A gathering of friends will be held Saturday March 30th @ 12:30 pm
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