Jerry Booker was born in Moss Point, Mississippi on August 25, 1933. He was born to Gus McCann and Mrs. Lucy Booker (Ms. Sweet). Jerry attended elementary and junior high school close to home before graduating from Magnolia High School in 1950. At Magnolia, he excelled in sports, mainly basketball and football. In the fifties, he served in the Army and fought for our country in Korea.

After he separated from the military in the mid-fifties, he came to California where he settled in Riverside. In the early sixties, he moved to Santa Barbara, California. Upon arriving in Santa Barbara, he worked odd jobs before becoming the first black butcher in town while working for Jordano's. When the job ended three years later, he found a job at UCSB as a janitor. When he retired in 1998, after 24 years of service, he had worked himself up to Maintenance Supervisor. He loved his job, the kind people, the students, and everyone he came into contact with. Jerry was a very caring and thoughtful person and this characteristic drew many people to him.

Jerry's hobbies were few but very important to him. He loved working on cars, telling stories, studying and discussing the bible. These were just a few things that made him happy. The cars were a joy because while fixing things he made friends and had interesting conversations – all which mad him happy.

He is preceded in death by all ten of his siblings and his wife of forty years, Levator Booker. He is survived by his two sons; Don Booker of Lompoc, and Kevin Booker of Novato, California; his daughter, Kathy Barns of Riverside; his granddaughter, Noelani Booker of Novato; his step-grandson, Eric Barns of Riverside, and a host of family members in the Mississippi and Florida areas.

Jerry Booker is known and loved by many friends from Riverside, Santa Barbara, Lompoc and his southern family and friends, too.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 15 at 12 noon at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary Chapel with funeral services following at 1 pm at the same location.