Condolence: Dear Vorpahl Family,

I am so saddened to hear about Jerry's death. I have been thinking of him for years, in fact every class reunion I have gone to I would ask if anyone knew the whereabouts of Jerry and no one knew where he was or what he was doing. I am not much of a face book person but was looking up different people from OFHS and stumbled across Jerry and that was just a few months ago. Let me tell you about my first meeting with Jerry. I needed a new trap set drummer, because Dave Witt was graduating and Daryl said my brother is very good. Jerry was in 8th grade at this point in time, so I told Daryl to have him come up to the high school so I could hear him, thinking, yeah sure I will humor Daryl. I digress, there are many, many people who play percussion BUT one in a million are ever very good playing trap set number one. Number two, most good trap set players, in my opinion are the most obnoxious people on the planet and are very intelligent...well does that fit Jerry??? He came up to the high school and I put some music on and he did an OK job for an 8th grader BUT I knew he had great talent. I told him, if you do what I tell you to do, listen to what I tell you and practice I will make you a great trap set drummer, you will be a star. Was he ever good, by the time he was a senior he was a monster player, I would have put him up against any high school trap set player in the United States...I am not just saying this because of his death. Listen to the recordings, they speak for themselves. I could take that jazz ensemble out today and play in contests and still win, it WAS that good. Just listen to the recordings. If you don't have a recording, I do. I put it on a CD format.

Another story, one time we were in the band room and I must have been recording something on video. Jerry of course was funny as hell and he decided to do an imitation of Adolph Hitler. He had that long, straight dark brown hair and parted it like Adolph and put his

Condolence: Jerry and I were best friends as children. I first met him in kindergarten. He had a really cool toy gun with him the first day of class. Needless to say we got in a lot of trouble together the next five years. From selling his Dad's Playboys to bouncing marbles through the back door of the post office over Jacks head. But we had a blast. Jerrys wit and humor will never be forgotten. We both gave our Mothers grey hair. I met Jerry Mom in the nursing home a few years back while my Mother was in there and I told Agnes who I was. Shy gave me a big smile and shook her head. Save a front row seat to the games for me Jer.

Condolence: Dare I say the "class clown"? Oh the times we had in school. Jerry always put a smile on my face and was able to make me laugh until I cried. I always admired his abilities and talent on a set of drums. Go with God my friend and rest it peace.

Condolence: Jer
Glad we got back in touch with each other through Facebook. I knew some thing was wrong when there was no postings after the games about how Chris Colingsworth was annoying, along w Chris Burmann. I'll really miss the brewer updates and check in on life is in Milwaukee and rehash the days in oconto falls. I'll miss you my friend. I'll see you when I get there

Condolence: Listening to the Jazz Ensemble-and being TOTALLY blown away by the drum master Jerry-and all of the sports/food chats and for getting me hooked on Penzeys spices :)))
Thanks Jerry-you will be missed-thanks for being part of so many lives-ROCK ON :)
Peace to you

Condolence: I remember when we were in the symphonic band together in high school. I could have sat and listened to Jerry play the drums all day long, he was that good! He was respectful of everyone. I didn't see much of him after high school, but I was glad to have found him on facebook through other classmates and I'm glad he found happiness. I know he will be very much missed and I extend my condolences to his family and friends.