Gerald Livengood

Gerald “Jerry” L. Livengood passed away peacefully in Sun City, AZ on May 21, 2019 at the age of 93. Jerry was born in Mishawaka, Indiana in 1925 to Frieda Otto and Gerald Livengood, Sr. Jerry’s childhood was largely spent on the Otto family farm in Buchanan, Michigan. He served with the U.S. Merchant Marine during WWII, narrowly avoiding enemy fire at sea while traveling around the world several times. After returning from the war he worked for the Studebaker Company in South Bend, Indiana. In 1950 he married Joyce E. Gaul, of Baroda, Michigan, and within a few years Jerry started a custom home building business in southwestern Michigan eventually expanding the business to northern Michigan and Arizona. Livengood homes established a reputation of quality, originality, craftsmanship and beauty, coining the catch phrase, “Livengood with Livengood.” Jerry and Joyce traveled extensively throughout the U.S. finding inspiration for their custom homes in Williamsburg, VA and Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, KY. Joyce and Jerry retired to Cave Creek, Arizona in 1992, where Jerry built, and Joyce decorated, their last Livengood home. In retirement Jerry took an avid interest in the stock market, supported his wife’s new career as a realtor in Arizona, and always found time for his family. Jerry is survived by his wife Joyce and their two daughters: Suzy (Jimmy) Lee of Crystal Lake, IL, Sherry (Mark) Redmond of Phoenix, AZ, and daughter-in-law Susan Livengood, widow of Dr. Larry Livengood of Bailey’s Harbor, WI. Jerry was blessed with 9 grandchildren: Brian and Alec Sharpe, Rebecca, Margaret, and Oliver Livengood, Jason Lee, Meredith Lee Bach and Jonathan Redmond; three great-grandchildren: Holden, Levi and Harlow Bach. Jerry was dearly loved by family and friends for his sense of humor and quick wit, his zest for life, his cheerful and positive demeanor, and his generosity. His life example of humble origins, hard work, self-improvement, and successful business ventures inspired tributes in song: https://jennydragon.bandcamp.com/album/livengood. He will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Memorial services will be held on June 15, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Bellevue Heights Church, 9440 W. Hutton Dr., Sun City, AZ 85351. (623) 977-8308. Jerry’s final resting place will be at the church.