Jerry Thorne lived most of his life in Northern California but he never lost the folksy, gentlemanly ways of the South where he was raised.
Thorne, a former Pleasanton councilman and four-term mayor during the 2010s, died unexpectedly at his Arizona home Sunday at the age of 77.
He moved from Tennessee to Pleasanton in his 20s, after graduating from the University of Tennessee at Memphis with a degree in chemical engineering.
Even with decades on the West Coast, Jerry never lost his Southern manners (or the drawl), which served him well as he led Pleasanton during a particularly turbulent time of growth. Many meetings were heated and long in a city where the residents wanted a housing cap that the state said they couldn’t have.
“Thorne was savvy, gregarious and affable, whether on Main Street or at meetings,” said Pleasanton Weekly Founding Editor Jeb Bing, who spent many nights in City Council Chambers covering meetings. “He was a conciliator whether dealing with anti-war protesters at City Council meetings or handling backyard over-the-fence disputes.”
When I think of “Mayor Thorne,” I remember the respect he showed everyone — our staff, residents, commenters during public meetings and his fellow council members among the many.
He could be the most patient person, but he could take or retake control of a meeting when needed — in a calm, considerate manner, of course. He explained his decisions in a logical manner and invited alternative views. He was not afraid to discuss and debate ideas, which is something being lost in the political arena today.
“Jerry was more action than words, which made him a rarer breed because he wasn’t a typical
glad-handing politician,” said Kathy Narum, who served with Thorne on the Pleasanton City Council and as his campaign manager before that.
“He was more focused on getting things done for the community that he loved so much, and he could be tenacious about it. This is why people loved him,” Kathy said. “But as his campaign manager, it was a challenge when it came to the campaigning part and knocking on doors. He had an innate modesty that made knocking on doors and idle chit-chat difficult for him, but he came to appreciate that residents really did want to talk to him.”
This humility is a characteristic that goes along with the Southern manners Jerry exuded.
When I think of Jerry the person and friend, I remember how he would go out of his way to make everyone he encountered feel valued and heard. I also think of his firm handshake and fierce love for his community and country, its residents and his family — traits also part and parcel with the ways of the South.
“I remember one time we were out walking and knocking on doors, and one of the doors was
opened by Terry Beaty,” Kathy said. “They got to talking and Terry yells over his shoulder to his wife Kim that Jerry Thorne was at the door and he brings Jerry inside. I wasn’t sure what to do. After about 15 minutes, Jerry came out absolutely beaming.”
It turns out Jerry had welcomed home their son at a homecoming hosted by Pleasanton Military Families, of which Jerry was a huge supporter, and they hadn’t forgotten.
“Those were the moments that Jerry lived for,” Kathy continued. “He was so pleased that he’d made a difference in the life of a soldier and his family. That was my friend Jerry, who dedicated the last 25 years of his life to improving the lives of others.”
“Jerry Thorne was like the neighbor you wish you had, the neighbor who helped whenever he saw a need,” Jeb said. “The neighbor who greeted you like he was genuinely happy to see you. The person you could effortlessly spend a day with. I alway felt welcome, both in his home and at community events.”
“Thorne resolved issues, developing close ties with neighboring cities, the county and even federal legislators,” Jeb said. “It was a privilege to know Jerry and he will surely be missed.”
Jerry leaves good memories and life lessons for his friends and family; Mayor Thorne leaves the city and region stronger.
It was indeed a privilege to know Jerry Thorne, and he will be missed.
Editor’s note: Gina Channell Wilcox has been the president and publisher of Embarcadero Media’s East Bay Division since October 2006. Her “Around the Valley” column runs the first and third Fridays of the month.
