Jerry Still

Jerry Ray Still: born 9/17/1942 Huntington Park, CA
Children: Jerry Still (b. 1961) and Teri Still (b. 1963)
Grandchildren: Alex Pouge (1984) and Ariana Spalding (b. 1992)
Great grandchild: Aiyanna Pouge (b. 2011) and Alex Jr. (b.2015)
Father: Arvie Ray Still
Mother: Lillian Virginia Tully Still
Brother: Raymond Dennis Still (b. 1939)

In 1946, my family decided to move from Southern California to the “promised land”, which for my parents meant Oregon. We traveled with my father’s best friend and his family: The McPherson’s. A funny thing happened on the way: the flatbed truck broke down on Highway 40 near today’s location of Rusch Park. This was before freeways and we were traveling along major California roads and Auburn Blvd. was part of the Lincoln Highway system. We settled here and had an address across the street from what would become the Grand Oaks Shopping Center.

Between the Still’s and the McPherson’s there were eight people. We all lived in a three bedroom house. The McPherson boys, Earl and Bob, were huge. Space was tight. Known as Mighty Mo at San Juan High School, Earl played football. He graduated in 1954 and his brother the next year.

Dad was an ole farm boy. He bought property from Jess Starns. I remember dad getting permission from Julia and Fred Rusch to have a milk cow on their property close by.

In 1946 Mac and my dad decided they would build a Motor Lodge Complex on Auburn Blvd. They finished four apartments and were ready to begin the new enterprise. Unfortunately, however, a new interstate freeway was coming that would bypass Citrus Heights. The freeway killed the Motor Lodge project. Mac went to work for the railroad while my dad took a job with a man who owned rentals he had acquired during the Depression. I recall my dad saying that his employer, Mr. Miller, had a book of over 100 names and addresses. Because there was little money at that time, some people had to sign over their house deeds. Mr. Miller also owned the Red and White grocery store in Roseville.

Dad built a family home on Sycamore Drive in 1949. I was a regular at Rusch Park when I wasn’t working with my dad. That park was the place to go and everyone played there. Little League did not exist in the early 1950s but we did have a Boys Club founded by Tony Mutoza and Jim Blake. Later we had a Teen Club.

The Boys Club met on Monday nights in the gym at San Juan High School. We had boxing matches that served as fundraisers. These were the two main things in my life – work and playing ball at Rusch Park. But we also went on camping trips and engaged in community service projects. We played baseball and had these all wool uniforms that were scratchy and hot. My dad’s plumbing company was a sponsor. For teenagers, there were dances in the summer on the slab area, provided by the Citrus Heights Lions Club. Winter dances were held at the Sylvan School gym. They were hot and scratchy too! Ole’ Doc Needham was the crossing guard that helped us cross the road. He knew most of the kids by name.

At the time Sylvan School was an open campus. The students liked to gather at the Sylvan Supermarket at Sylvan Corners. There was a soda fountain in the store. We could buy snacks and other goodies there. But my mother liked to shop at the Purity Market in downtown Roseville because she knew the manager. Also, her brother worked next door at the body shop at the Cadillac dealership. Later, we also shopped at Tom Thumb on Sunrise and Antelope and the Stop & Save on Highway 40.

Dad owned a local plumbing company called AR Still and Sons. I followed in his footsteps, starting my own business at 19. I called it Still Enterprises. I have plumbed hundreds of homes and businesses in the region, as well as Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Idaho and Nevada.

My wife Helen and I bought a home on Fairway around 1962 from Mel Ward. On a handshake, we put down one dollar to make it legal. Mel even gave us $100 for drapes. Our mortgage was $77 a month. When my kids were small, most of Citrus Heights and southern Roseville consisted of wide open fields as well as almond and olive orchards. Like Helen and I, my children graduated from San Juan High School. Helen’s Uncle Bob Stanaland, who lived nearby, was a huge factor in our lives, helping us get settled and start a plumbing business of my own. After my father passed away in 1980, I came to own the old family house on Sycamore Drive. Mom lived there until her death in 1985. I continue to live in the house built by dad.

My hobbies include travel and puttering about the home. I am also an enthusiastic supporter of Citrus Heights organizations, including the Lions Club, the San Juan Alumni Association and the Citrus Heights Historical Society. In the 1950s and 1960s I attended area meetings with my father and got interested in community service. Everybody joined the Lions Club, which accomplished a lot at Rusch Park throughout the years. I chartered the Sunrise Lions Club in 1969, which makes me one of the longest serving members in the district.

In 1960 I graduated from San Juan High School (SJHS). As a proud Spartan, I believe the history of the school should be collected and preserved. In 2013 I helped to establish the Legacy Exhibit at SJHS, which is a program offered by the alumni association. I love to work with tools and, along with my classmate and friend Bob Baxter, created much of the exhibit display materials. The exhibition is open free once a week and I help to staff it. It brings me great joy to welcome visitors and talk with them about the school and area history. There is even a small display at the south end of Sunrise Mall.

As part of the semi-annual alumni picnic gathering at Rusch Park, I invite everyone to come to the Legacy Exhibit. I especially love to see graduates remembering their times at the high school as they gaze at the historic materials. There are very few high schools in this country that have such a place for documenting the history of a specific school. In this sense the Legacy Exhibit is a pioneer.

Because I can’t get enough of my hometown, I recently joined the board of the Citrus Heights Historical Society. The society works to promote and preserve the history and stories of our community.

Traditionally, my favorite place to travel is Parsons in Decatur County, TN. This is where my father and his family were born. But my favorite trip was in 2009 when I had to deliver a car across the country. I took a scenic route, visiting friends and family along the way. I put over 5000 miles on the car before I dropped it off in New Jersey. On that trip, I celebrated my 67th birthday on top of the Empire State Building. Now that was a different birthday! In Washington D.C., I enjoyed two other highlights: the Lincoln Memorial and watching the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Coincidentally, fellow Lions Club member Roger Ferguson called me while I was at the Lincoln Memorial and I remember having quite the conversation with him while I was standing on the stairs and he was in Citrus Heights.

One of my other interests is old cars. When possible, I enjoy helping to organize car shows at community events I am involved in, such as the annual SJHS alumni picnic. I own a 1930 Chevrolet sedan (since 1958) and a 1975 Hearst Oldsmobile.

Citrus Heights became my “promised land”. I have lived here ever since.
​
I am motivated by the “Golden Rule” and like to give to those who need it.