April 27, 1947 – May 29, 2025
With sadness and forever love, our family shares the passing of Jerry English. Born and raised in northwestern Ohio, he was christened George Jeremiah English by his parents — but he was always called Jerry. He was retired and living between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale.
Jerry loved football! He played in high school and at Ohio Northern University (ONU), where he was a linebacker and center starting all games for four years. His awards included ONU Hall of Fame and All-American recognition. After graduating from ONU in 1964, he was a graduate assistant coaching at Bowling Green State University, and earned a Master’s degree. He was for many years a teacher as well as a coach of football and wrestling at various high schools and colleges. Coach English enjoyed and excelled at being the defensive coordinator for football teams.
When Jerry was a lifeguard in his home town of Ada, Ohio, he met Ann Cochensparger who visited the pool and the two became life mates. They were married June 6, 1964, and last year celebrated 60 years. Blessed with two children, Teresa (Teri) and Brett English, they chose to move to Carbondale in 1985. It was a lifestyle decision. A very small town in the mountains of Colorado was where they chose to raise Teri and Brett, and Carbondale then was that.
For years, Jerry and Ann had enjoyed many summer vacations camping and hiking in the Rocky Mountains. They purchased a lot in Marble in 1973 and became familiar with the Roaring Fork Valley.
Jerry worked at the Aspen Airport and Aspen Base Operations until retirement. The English family traveled to new international destinations. A quiet and kind man, Jerry had a sly smile and a dry wit. He enjoyed being a tease and often caught friends, family and even strangers unprepared for his comments. At work, he was known to initiate raucous laughter.
Jerry loved his family and all their times together. He enjoyed his Mustang and Cobra cars as well as watching and analyzing college football games. Additionally, he loved wilderness, wildlife, birding as well as music by Bob Seger and Irish music.
Jerry considered a red-tailed hawk as his spirit bird. Please remember Jerry when you gaze up at one soaring in the Colorado sky. By Jerry’s wishes a private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.