Obituary of Gerald C. Caward Jr.

December 12, 1953 ~ July 22, 2024

Gerald C. “Jerry” Caward Jr., age 70 of Lansing, NY passed from this life to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, July 22, 2024 at Cayuga Medical Center.

Born December 12, 1953 in Montour Falls, NY he was the son of Gerald and Arlene Clayton Caward Sr. He was a Master Electrician by trade.

Gerald C. Caward, Jr, affectionately known as Jerry Jr., eldest son of Gerald and Arlene Caward was a life-long Lansing resident. In his youth he played football at Lansing Central School. In adulthood, he developed woodworking skills and toyed with ham radio technology.

Jerry loved his family; his wife Barbara of almost twenty years and their children and grandchildren were all the greatest joy of his life. He also was a devoted son, and has served his parents in their later years. His nieces and nephews also held him in the highest regard. He was a regular attendee at Asbury Church in Lansing and attended church regularly in Florida as well. In personal conversations, a shared sense of spiritual values would often emerge.

Vocationally, he was a Master Electrician. He loved interacting with people and worked as a hotel construction manager as well as serving on Lansing Town Planning Board as both a member and later as board chair. In the four years since retirement, Jerry served as Coach House Resident Board president and then vice president at his Florida retirement community. There, as before, he functioned as an advocate for his community. Since retirement he has enjoyed relaxing on the shuffleboard court and playing pickleball during the winter season in Florida.

In addition to his parents, Gerald and Arlene Caward of Lansing, NY, Jerry is survived by his wife of 19 years, Barbara Caward of Lansing, NY; daughters, Melissa Langborg (Adam), Heather Kan (Eric), Corey Caward and Danielle Krenner (Eric); Barbara’s children, Dustin Smithers (Paula), Michael Smithers (Emily) and Heather Smith; 16 grandchildren; his brother, Bruce Caward (Martina); sisters, Sheryl Manwaring (Ronald) and Bonnie Moffett; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other extended family members.