"I challenge everybody to live this day like it's your last. Enjoy your friendships and family. Enjoy being with each other. You don't know what tomorrow will bring." - Jerry Rightmer
"We all miss him, but he lives on through our memories, and through the memories we share - he will never die. May his love and spirit continue to live on in our hearts." - Darra Rightmer
If you would like to honor Jerry a charity donation would be appreciated; please make donations to the Hepatitis Foundation International: http://www.hepfi.org/donate/donate_honor.html
Born to parents Ruby Nelle Lynn and William Carl ‘Shorty’ Rightmer, Jerry grew up in Texas with Brother Larry Keith Rightmer. He passed of cirrhosis of the liver caused by Hepatitis C in Ventura County, CA, March 4, 2007
Jerry Rightmer is a beloved husband, father, and grandfather and will be missed greatly. He is survived by his wife Shari Rightmer, and children Darra Rightmer, Alesha Rightmer, Nash Rightmer, and Cade Rightmer and three grandchildren, and many family members and friends.
Jerry had a love and passion for music, baseball, golf and Harley Davidson’s.
He played baseball since he was a little boy with his brother Larry. They were on a fast-pitch team together until Larry passed in 1981. Jerry played catcher and 2nd base until 2002. The last team he played for was called the Mustang’s who he played with for 8 years. His proud number was 2! Jerry was torn (from what he told Shari) between becoming a pro baseball player or being a musician. Becoming a ROCK STAR won!
After recording and touring while playing bass and vocals with such seminal groups as The Sanford-Townsend Band (“Smoke from a Distant Fire”) and Seals & Croft, Jerry began a successful career in the film business, where he was a pioneer in the creation and development of DVA (digital video assist) technology. He has designed and created software titles including StormVision which was a featured product at Showbiz West, and heralded in articles in Variety, Location Update Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. His newest project, StormVision QV is the first ever multi-camera DVA software accommodating the recording of up to four cameras with one computer system. He returned to live music performances most recently with 10 Horse Johnson.
Jerry was a BIG sports fan and most of all a die hard Cowboy and Longhorn fan to the end. He loved riding horses and often loved to talk about his mom in the rodeo and growing up on the ranch his family still owns.
He was a classic car buff and could name any car, year and model with history at a glance. He once owned a 1967 original Chevy El Camino.
Believe it or not, he was a good dancer and he would only dance 2-step or swing. Actually, that was how he and Shari met on March 17, 1991 dancing. Shortly after they married he said he wasn’t a dancer he was a musician.
The film industry Video Assist brothers regard Jerry with respect and admiration as he was a video assist for almost 17 years and worked on many recognized 'Infinity' commercials and some features such as 'Alien Resurrection'.
Jerry (a.k.a. Longhorn) received a Fatboy Harley Davidson as a Fathers Day Gift from his family and 'Longhorn' rode every Sunday with the Westcoast Weasels till he couldn’t ride anymore.
Jerry will be deeply missed by all who loved him. Please honor him with your memories. Please add to the tribute site with a testimonal, picture or sign the guest book.