Dr. Jerry Dean Leroux

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Jerry Leroux of Hollister, CA on April 29, 2024 at the age of 81.

For over 50 years he devoted his working time as a veterinarian and owned clinics in Lawrence, KS, La Jolla, CA and most recently in Hollister, CA with San Benito Veterinary Center, providing care for so many of our furry friends (and many not so furry) of all shapes, sizes and breeds. Before it was even a thing, he operated a mobile vet clinic out of a small Toyota RV in the San Diego area. He was a very dedicated, hard-working, honest man with a very compassionate nature.

He was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas and earned his undergraduate degree at Kansas University and went to Veterinary School at Kansas State University in Manhattan. He ended up migrating to California and lived in La Jolla for a while, eventually settling in Hollister where he met his wife of 25 years, Holly. Their 25 years together felt to both of them like they were newlyweds. Jerry loved the ocean and being outside and spent a lot of his free time running long distances and playing tennis and teaching his family to appreciate those things as well. He always had a love for classic cars and owned and refurbished several over the years, to the point that he had to build a separate garage on his property in Hollister to house them all. He also loved sailing and flying, even after crash landing his biplane at the Hollister Airport and walking away.

He is survived by his loving wife Holly, his sister Patty Aylward, his son Ryan, his daughter Cherie, his son Peter and his wife Leslie and his grandkids Jake and Jackson.

There will be a private family memorial service to honor him. If you'd like to pay tribute to Jerry you can contribute to Pet Friends and Rescue in Hollister.

Published in Hollister Free Lance · May 15, 2024