Obituary
Gerald “Jerry” Saul Schur, 89, of Oxford, Mississippi, and formerly of Chicago, Illinois and Highland Park, Illinois, died August 16, 2024. He was the loving father of Andrea (Paul) Levy, Bobby (Pam) Schur and the late David (Lori) Schur. He was the proud “Papa” of seven grandchildren: Emily Levy (Kyle Buffin), Ilyse Levy, Josh Schur, Kaley (Rob) Galliani, Danielle Schur, Jacklyn Schur and Lindsey Schur. He was preceded in death by his parents, Esther and John Schur, and parents-in-law, Ida and Sam Gould. He was also a dear brother to the late Robert (Lee) Schur and former husband to the late Sandra Schur. He was a treasured uncle and friend to many, and especially a best friend to Steve and Leisa Braband.
Jerry celebrated sixty years in legal practice as a patent attorney. He was a high school graduate of Van Steuben High School, college graduate of Purdue University, and received multiple law degrees from John Marshall Law School. He was admitted to the Bar on May 23, 1963. During his career as an intellectual property attorney, he helped a multitude of individual inventors and corporations obtain patents, registered trademarks and copyrights. Before pursuing his legal career, Jerry was in the National Guard and served his country with honor.
He also served the local legal community as a member and ultimately president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers and North Suburban Bar Association. Additionally, through the Midtown Educational Foundation Lawyers-Lend-A-Hand, Jerry tutored boys in 4th to 6th grades and was awarded the “Making a Difference Award” in 2011 for his contributions to the group.
He retired in 2008 and quickly transitioned to the second phase of life: retirement! In his later years he pursued his love of sailing, obtained an amateur radio operator’s license, and belonged to amateur radio clubs in Illinois and Wisconsin. He continued tutoring and enjoyed weekly lunches with his friends from high school and separate lunches with his fraternity brothers. Retirement also included lots of travel, visiting family and accompanying his friends Steve and Leisa on their adventures. Jerry’s retirement also allowed him additional time to devote to the Loop Synagogue where he served on the Board and was a regular attendee of daily services helping complete a minyan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Friends of Magen David Adom (www.afmda.org) and the Institute of Southern Jewish Life (www.isjl.org). Chapel services are on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois. For more information on the service and/or shiva, or to leave condolences, please refer to www.shalommemorial.org or call 847/255-3520.