Saturday, November 14, 2026
Gerald (Jerry and “Papa”) Bare of Marco Island, Florida passed away peacefully in his home March 14th, 2024. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife, soulmate and best friend of 68 wonderful years, Delores (Dee & “Mama”) Bare. Jerry, born February 25th, 1934, was the oldest of nine children born to Ida Mae (Leonard) and Edwin Merle Bare of Indianapolis, Indiana. He is survived by his three children and their spouses. Gerald “Randy” Bare, his wife, Sherri (Nester) Bare, Brian Bare, his wife, Tonya (Baumann) Bare, and MeLisa “Missy” (Bare) Frutchey, and her husband, Tom Frutchey. The family he and Dee shared were his proudest accomplishment in life, but there were so many accomplishments of a life well lived for a humble and grateful servant.
Their ten grandchildren include: Ryan Myers (Amie), Corbin Bare (Abby), Connor Bare (Nathalie), Bailey Bare (Billy), Lauren (Bare) Mitchell (Levi), Geneva Bare, Dillon Frutchey, Devin Frutchey (Allison), Blaise Puig (Carlin), and Barett Puig. Their six great-grandchildren include Rylee Myers, Gwendolyn Myers, Chloe Myers, Ryker Frutchey, Rhaella Frutchey, and one on the way.
Jerry’s siblings include: Doris Theil (Bobby), Charles Bare (Carolyn), Nancy Sherman, Gary Bare (Patsy), Kathy (Bare) Derringer (Michael). Jerry was preceded in death by his brothers, Ronnie Bare (Mary), Greg Bare (Sharon) and his sister Becky Peoples (Albert).
Jerry and Dee moved from their farm in Martinsville, Indiana to Marco Island in 1985. Jerry left the plumbing industry and the Local 440 Union to pursue a new dream of living near the Gulf Coast with a career in Property Management.
He and Dee quickly became “Marco famous” as Santa and Mrs.Claus. Over their almost 30 years of volunteering their smiles, laughs and hearing the wishes of thousands of children, and even the children of those children who carried on the tradition, he never stopped smiling and offering a kind word to everyone. The twinkle in his eyes was always there.
Jerry was a graduate of Southport High School (1954), he proudly served in the US Army, was a member of the Southport Masonic Lodge #270, past President of the Marco Island Rotary Club, and longtime member of the Marco Island Methodist Church. Jerry also found satisfaction volunteering at Naples Community Hospital, and never met a stranger. Jerry and Dee enjoyed their boat, “Running Bare,” participating in the Marco Island Cruise Club. Upon retirement, they became “snowbirds,” spending their summers in Bardstown, Kentucky, where he remained a member of the Methodist Church and Rotary Club. He and Mama Bare took great pleasure in cruising down the road in his classic, red 1969 Jeepster convertible, even winning trophies at classic car shows. Jerry took pride in sharing his Jeepster with his family and was recognized by the community of both Bardstown, Kentucky and Marco Island. He spent many hours cutting grass on the riding lawn mower and patrolling with a golf cart on the bluegrass farm he enjoyed so much.
Jerry touched countless hearts and will be missed by those who were blessed to know him. We find peace knowing he lived his life to the fullest. Jerry joyfully celebrated his 90th birthday with his close family and friends from near and far to honor him, only three weeks before his peaceful passing.
Jerry’s generous smile, his sparkling eyes, his wisdom, his signature punch in the arm as his way of expressing his love for us will be missed by all. In Papa Bare’s memory, we will honor him by loving each other, striving to live a Christian lifestyle by showing kindness to others, loving God, our Country and hisfamily. It is upon us to continue his greatest wish of loving and caring for his self-proclaimed “better half” Dee.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, 3/26/2024 at Hodges-Josberger Funeral Home located at 577 E. Elkcam Circle, Marco Island, FL 34145. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the funeral home.
3/21/2024 Coastal Breeze News
