Gerald Angeles Protzman, "Jerry," age 90, loving husband of Gloria J. Protzman (deceased), passed away peacefully the morning of Nov. 25, 2016.Gerald spent Thanksgiving Day with his family, surrounded by all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m., at the Anchorage Funeral Home & Crematory, located at 1800 Dare Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99515. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the .Gerald was born on April 8, 1926, in Seward, Alaska. At the age of 6, his grandparents raised Gerald after the passing of his parents. At the age of 15, Gerald joined the Territorial Guard on Shemeya Island, Alaska, as an equipment operator, building airstrips. By the age of 18, Jerry entered the U.S. Army, and is recognized a World War II Veteran of the Aleutian Campaign. In 1947, Gerald met Gloria Jean Black, the Love of his Life. They were married six months later on Oct. 3, 1947. The young couple moved to Whittier, Alaska, in 1948, where the Alaska Railroad employed Gerald, until they moved back to Seward in 1949, to have their first son, Gerald "Pee Wee." Jerry's employment involved flying as a private pilot, commercial fishing and gold mining. After several years in Whittier, they moved to Anchorage in 1951, where they had their daughter, Vicki, in 1952. Working as a trucker, logger and heavy equipment operator. In 1955, Jerry and Gloria moved to Sterling, Alaska, formerly known as Naptown, to homestead. They resided in a Quonset hut. Jerry continued driving trucks for a living, along with logging and working as a heavy equipment operator, then started his own trucking business - Jerry's Freight Service. In 1957, they had their youngest son, James. The family then moved back to Whittier in 1964, following the earthquake. Jerry was the dock superintendent for the Alaska Railroad. In 1969, he retired and the couple moved to Hawaii, built a home and, after a few years in the tropics, found themselves back in Whittier, out of retirement, working as the plant manager for Whitney Fidalgo Seafoods. The family relocated out to Fairmont Island in Prince William Sound at a kelp processing plant. With love for the Sound and passion for the trucking industry, Jerry started yet another business located in Whittier, Dojer LTD. - Marine freight and fuel for the outlying villages, towns and hatcheries in Prince William Sound. He successfully ran Dojer LTD. until his final retirement in 2008.Gerald is survived by his dog, FuFu; son, Gerald G. "Pee Wee" Protzman and his wife Maribel of Anchorage; daughter, Vicki L. Hartman and her husband Steve of Anchorage; son, James C. "Jimmy" Protzman of Anchorage; grandchildren, Bryan Protzman, Jonnie Marie Bernier, Michael Stephens, Yeasi De Leon, Kenny DeLeon, Matthew J. Protzman, Sheila Mann, Casey Protzman and Ashlee Protzman; and 20 great-grandchildren.Gerald A. Protzman will be missed by his family, and always remembered as a loving husband, father and "Papa." Gerald's presence in this world left a lasting impression on all that knew him, friends, family and associates. He was an amazing soul with an incredible drive for family unity, hard work and determination for his family to succeed. Happily, Gerald joins his beautiful wife, Gloria J. Protzman, in everlasting joy. Rest in peace, Papa.Arrangements were in care of the Anchorage Funeral Home & Crematory. Please visit Jerry's online memorial at www.AlaskanFuneral.com.