Jerome Omer “Jerry” Sobotta passed away on March 21, 2021 surrounded by family in his home at the age of 85.
He was born on Feb. 12, 1936 in Arcadia, Wis. to George Sobotta and Ann Grieser Sobotta.
Jerry attended schools in Lapwai, Idaho, where he met his childhood sweetheart, Kay Maxwell. Jerry and Kay married as he attended Gonzaga University, where he played basketball, and then Washington State University, where he became a lifelong Cougar. After receiving a degree in pharmacy, he went to work as a pharmacist in Richland, Wash. and later purchased Hermiston Drug with his brother Jack, also a pharmacist. They expanded by adding a second store, Orchard Pharmacy, located near the medical center.
To describe Jerry in one word, it would be “kind.” He loved each member of the family (and many an extended family member) for who they were; he supported each of us in whatever we desired to do. We felt it. He dispensed good, kind and always smart advice, but only if asked. He was a spiritual man who always felt blessed, even though his good planning, his kindness, his positive attitude, and his hard work – along with his faith – were the true reasons for his success and the success of his children and grandchildren. He coached, he encouraged, but most of all, he believed in and was confident in our individual ability to complete a degree, find a job, or marry the right person. No matter what, though, we, his children and grandchildren, always knew he would love us and would be there to pick us up and dust us off, if we failed.
He was a true athlete. He played basketball for Gonzaga University, then supported family members in playing almost every kind of sport, but mostly he was a believer in just staying active. He attended many, many sporting events to watch children, grandchildren (or their friends), or just someone he knew from his home town, Lapwai, Idaho. He is now in heaven, watching the men’s and women’s NCAA championships and looking forward to a Gonzaga championship and the baseball season.
Survivors include his wife, Kay; his brother, Bob (Loretta) Sobotta; his children, John Sobotta, Julie (Dan) Kane, Karin Sobotta, Diana (Steve) Lilley, Scott Sobotta, Steven Sobotta and Joshua Sobotta; grandchildren, Jon, Annie, Ashley, Michael, Kyle, Jacob, Alyssa, Jessica, Tina, Denise, Benjamin, Kayce, Nicole, Arielle, Mariah, Kylee and Dawn-Rose; great grandchildren, Haley, Lucas, Jare and Knox; and numerous other great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, George and Ann; his siblings, Richard (Dick) Sobotta, George (Junior) Sobotta, Gloria Mullay, Rosemary Webb and John (Jack) Sobotta; and his oldest son, James Jerome Sobotta.
Because of the limitation on gatherings due to the pandemic, a family Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Boardman, with burial to follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Jerry’s memory to the Hermiston Little League or the Agape House in care of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Please share memories of Jerry with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
