Jerry Gasko Obituary

Jerry,
Rest in peace! You are home! I know God has a plan for you. We may not have been ready for you to leave us but He needed you next to Him! You were a kind, stern, gentle being that had a heart of pure gold! You believed in so many of us that has never had anyone to believe in us. You helped us believe in ourselves to become men of character, to be someone people respect and look up to regardless of if we were wearing blue or green. We are your legacy and we will live lives with purpose and with meaning instead of walking around aimlessly. You helped me see a future that everyone told me did not exist and for that I am so greatful for you and Jane (for keeping you in line)!! You will be missed every day, every graduation, every class! You are in our hearts. prayers and thoughts now and forever!! THANK YOU! We love and miss you Jerry!
Andrew Montano 7 habits core group member

Dear Jane, I just learned of Jerry's passing. We were neighbors on Arendes Drive and attended St. Stephen's from Kindergarten on together. Great friend. Enjoyed getting to visit with Jerry at the 50th grade school reunion and meet you and learn you were "from the other side of the tracks!" It was meant to be.
Congratulations on your 52 years of committed marriage together. I was so impressed with Jerry's sharing with me his work with the Colorado Corrections and military career. He obviously made a difference in the lives of so many by his example and personal involvement. You should be proud of being a part of that, Jane, being there for him.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you. May God bless you and keep you...
Eric Stackle, M.D. Boise, Idaho

My name is Brother William Woeger. I lived across the street from Jerry on Dover Place. We were classmates in school until the seventh grade when my family move to the suburbs. As read all of the wonderful testimony about Jerry I must say that I am not surprised. The fine qualities he exhibited as an adult were certainly present when he was young. He was very kind to me as well as others. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace, amen.

I am a defense attorney, in which Mr. Gasko was incredibly helpful in supporting my client. We have some recent video footage of Mr. Gasko in an interview at Garden of the Gods talking about the center and doing what he loves. It's only about 1 minute long, but if someone in the family wants it they can contact me at [email protected]. It's nothing great, but I figured it was worth letting the family know.

Jeff Johnson is an inmate at the Canon City Fremont Correctional Facility where he wrote this letter. He asked that the following be submitted to Jerry's loved ones.

Yesterday, we received some really bad news, Jerry Gasko passed away. For many of you that name means nothing but it should. Mr. Gasko retired from the army after many years of serving our country. He was a war veteran and because of him many of our soldiers were blessed to return home to their family's. He used to be the head chief over all the Colorado Department of Corrections, because of him, we have a lot of the programs individuals can take if they want to further their education. Jerry Gasko also introduced what l feel is the best program into CDOC which is "7-Habits of Highly Effective People" based off of the book by Stephen Covey. He has been instrumental in changing my life and helping me realize that l have a plethora of potential. Once Mr. Gasko and Chaplain Dan Matsche (teaches us with Gasko) told me l was what this program was all about and this is why they volunteer their time to come in here to teach us how to be men of character. I had already started on my course of transformation before these two men, but it was them that helped me define my vision and realize my capabilities.

I will always be super grateful to Mr. Gasko for being the man of principle he was. He always said the most important mark on a tombstone wasn't the date you were born or the date you passed. It was the dash in the middle because thats what you defined your life by how you lived it. The man was decorated and l could speak forever about all that but l honestly don't think he cared about titles, he cared about character. Mr. Gasko defined character and taught all of us who had the pleasure to learn from him what character is, its simply Mr. Gasko! I will honor his life with mine and how he taught and believed in me, he taught me the best way to help others is to share your knowledge with them. Lord, thank you for blessing all of us with Mr. Gasko, please look after his amazing wife and family. I know you took him home as one of your Angels. Thank you Jerry Gasko. R.I.P

Jerry was a fine man, someone who could be looked up to as a fine example of what a human being should be like. He did a lot of good for many people in his life. To his family we send our prayers.

Jerry was the older guy down the alley from me. He was a leader as a youth in our Scout Troop and I always looked up to him.
I'am sure he is using his leadership skills to help his fellow man in his new place of usefulness.
Condolences to his family and friends.

High School friend and teammate. Glad I saw you at our 50th class reunion. God speed.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all and with your loved one, Jerry May God be with you all.

"To Mrs. Jane Gasko...Your husband and our dear friend and mentor, Jerry, bought so much to our lives---recognition of our own power to chose to live responsible, principle-centered lives as people of high character. We understand there were moments when he volunteered his time to be our mentor that may have encroached on his time with you. We thank you sincerely for allowing us the pleasure of his company. He loved you completely and never missed an opportunity to express to us the depth of his affection for you.

We pray that your peace is swift in coming and your comfort lasting.

Sincerely...John Sherman and family"

Jerry was an exceptional leader, mentor, and friend. Even though our paths did not cross for over 30 years, reading of his passing has touched me profoundly.It was truly an honor and privilege to have served under him at the USDB many years ago and I cherish those times we spent together on and off duty. Our heartfelt sorrow to Jane and family and to the memory of a great man who has made a difference.

Sir. It was an honor and privileged to have work with you. RIP

To the family of Jerry, we would like to say how awesome of a man Jerry was. His work with inmates was caring and with a great passion. My husband Greg Romero was so touched by his work. He instilled awesome values to the guys and treated each one differently as individuals. Jerry will be missed at Fremont correctional facility. We will continue his legacey and his values. Rest in peace friend until we meet again
God bless this family!!! Love and respect always. Love Greg and Rosalie Romero

Those we love
don't go away,
they walk beside us
EVERY DAY...
unseen, unheard,
but always near,
still loved,
still missed
and very dear.
To you and your family Jane my heat
goes out to you all.

LTC Gasko was a great boss and a great person. I learned a lot about corrections from him when I worked for him at the military prison in Leavenworth. I am a better person for knowing him. RIP my friend.

Thank you for believing in me. You will be dearly missed

A note from an Inmate,
Greetings my brother! I have some sad news to share. Mr. Gasko passed away on 1-22-18, at 9:30pm. ...
Jerry was passionate about helping people change their lives. His memory will be deeply felt and his legacy in making a monumental difference in peoples lives is etched in the 7 Habits on the Inside, 7 Habits on the Outside for parolees, and for the 7 Habits for staff. His legacy even goes much deeper than the 7 Habits. He has done great things for so many people, especially the veterans and paving the way for people in corrections to think outside the box to provide more programs for change. He told me, "When I was the Dir of Prisons, I was told to build prisons. Now, my mission in life is to help empty those same prisons I helped to plan and build. People are redeemable. If you are going to dream, dream big."
I was privileged to know Jerry for 17 years on a personal level as a core group member and worked alongside him in that capacity for 13 years. He was like a father to me, a brother, a friend, and a mentor. If I am even half the man, the human being, Jerry was when I die, I will have grown to be a good and decent human being. He is who I think everyone should aspire to be.
An Inmate

Jerry, you were a great soldier, a wonderful man and a true friend. You will be missed.
Bob and Maija Kurtz

Jerry was/is one of the most sincerely caring corrections professionals I've ever met. He was a true leader, with a gift for developing and encouraging others on both sides of the bars, while also holding them accountable. It was a proivilege and a joy to have him support Desert Waters' efforts to increase corrections staff's well-being.

Jerry Gasko was/is one of the most sincerely caring people I've met, with a unique gift for encouraging and developing others. A true leader.It was a privilege and a joy to have him support Desert Waters' mission to increase corrections staff wellness.

Jerry was a very effective and insightful leader to associate and work with.May the good Lord welcome him where he will enjoy eternal peace and happiness.

Jerry was a great leader and mentor. I feel honored to have worked with him at DOC and blessed to count him a friend.