Jerald 'Jerry' Ralph Sinn, 81

Jerry Sinn of Post Falls, Idaho, died at home Sept. 24, 2024, surrounded by his family. 

Jerry was born Sept. 30, 1942, in Robbinsdale, Minn. His family moved to Southern California in the early '50s, where he graduated from Junipero Serra High School in Gardena. After high school, he married Judy Norman and began delivering mail for Pacific Bell Telephone, where he spent his working career. While working full time, he graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in finance. He and Judy had four children prior to divorcing. 

He eventually became an executive vice president at Pacific Bell/AT&T and oversaw the company’s emergency management during the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, one of his proudest achievements. He retired early and bought a small horse ranch in Sequim, Wash. In his retirement, he enjoyed travel, kayaking, bike riding and dabbling in golf. He and his wife Deborah met in Sequim when he enrolled in a piano course she offered. The ranch was a favorite gathering place for family — especially the grandchildren who learned to ride and care for horses there. It was also a happy place where neighbors and friends met for holiday meals and parties. 

While in Sequim, he served as the president of the Board for the Boys & Girls Club of the Olympic Peninsula and later as president of the Sequim Morning Rotary Club. He and Deborah relocated to Post Falls in 2017, where he was active in the Post Falls Rotary Club. 

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Rambo Sinn; children Janine Simcoe, Jeff Sinn (Rose), Janelle Capinpin (Allan) and Jeanette Sinn (Brian Fisher); two stepchildren, Mark Arvizu and Deanna Fulop (Roger); 12 grandchildren (Jessie, Jamie, Shelby, Halle, Jaylene, Carissa, Nathan, Megan, Jordan, Ashlee, Josh and Tyler) and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Beverly Clement, brother David Sinn, beloved nieces Judy and Christina, and nephew John. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Laverne Sinn, and stepmother Ruby.

The family wishes to thank his attentive doctors and caring nurses who have walked alongside him over the past five years. We are forever grateful for your guidance and hearts. We also wish to thank Hospice of North Idaho for overseeing his care in his last few days.

A memorial service will take place on his birthday, Monday, Sept. 30, at 1st Presbyterian Church in Coeur d’Alene, 521 E. Lakeside Ave. at 1 p.m. Arrangements are through Yates Funeral Home in Cd'A. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Jerry to the Post Falls Rotary for creating safe crosswalks at our local schools.

"Rivers will run, mountains will rise, I love you more than the stars in the skies."