Jerry Leigh Friesner

Jerry Leigh Friesner, 84, passed away at his home in Cullowhee, NC, this past June 2018. He was born to Monza Leigh and Caroline Cowan Robbins Friesner on January 13, 1934, at their home south of Meadville, MO. Jerry graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts. He taught briefly at Eldon High School in Eldon, MO, before accepting a position with the Industrial Arts Department at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. It was there that Jerry met the love of his life, Christine Bergner. Jerry and Chris were married on August 4, 1963, and both continued teaching at WCU until they retired, Jerry in 1993 and Chris in 1994. They shared a passion for photography, the beach at Oak Island, NC, and flying their Cessna, spending many summers at the fly-in at Oshkosh, WI. Chris preceded Jerry in death in August 2017. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Inez Friesner, and a nephew, H. Kay Friesner. He is survived by a nephew, R. Dee (Jeannie) Friesner, niece-in-law Etsuko Friesner, two great nephews, and three great nieces. There was a graveside service and inurnment of Jerry's and Chris's ashes at Cullowhee United Methodist Church cemetery.