Gerald Counter Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Gerald Lee Counter, 73, of Topeka, died on Monday, June 13, 2022. Jerry was born February 20, 1949, in Topeka to Harlan and Billie Yarber Counter. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1967 and earned his Bachelor’s degree in business from Washburn University. After working for the State of Kansas for a few years, he spent the vast majority of his career selling commercial & fine paper products for Mid-Continent Paper/Unisource. After retirement, he sold cars in Salina at Conklin and in Topeka at Ed Bozarth and Cable Dahmer. Jerry married Mary Francis on April 12, 1975. They had two children—Kate and Ben, who they raised in Salina. Jerry had his private pilot’s license and loved to fly. He was an accomplished guitar player, performing with a number of Topeka-area groups throughout his teens and twenties. Traveling was a favorite past-time. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts and business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. Jerry was a huge KU Jayhawk basketball fan, and enthusiastically cheered on the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs with his wife, Joyce Walters Merryman, whom he married on May 28, 2016. Jerry is survived by his wife, Joyce, of the home; children, Kate Counter of Centennial, Colorado and Ben Counter (Maggie Heatherman) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; sister, Deborah Ferrell (David) of Mayetta; brother, Randy Counter (Sally) of Shawnee; stepsons, John Merryman (Amanda) and Jeff Merryman, both of Topeka; nine grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and younger brother, David. Visitation will be 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday, June 27, 2022, in the chapel at Mount Hope Cemetery, 4700 SW 17th St, Topeka, KS 66604, with celebration of Jerry’s life at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice, and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com

Gerald Counter

February 20, 1949 - June 13, 2022