Jerry T. E. Van Assendelft De Coningh

Jerry T.E. van Assendelft de Coningh, born March 28th, 1941, in Bandung, Indonesia, to Pieter van Assendelft de Coningh and Eugenie Phefferkorn, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Houston, Texas. Jerry is survived by his wife, Maryelle; brother, Pieter; daughter, Ingrid, and son in-law, Blake; sister in-law Elise; as well as nieces, Cynthia, and Tracy; and nephew, Peter. He was preceded in death by his father, Pieter; mother, Eugenie; and two of his beloved children: daughter, Anik, and son, Carl. The youngest of two adventurous brothers, Jerry and his older sibling, Pieter, lived a life fueled by curiosity, courage, and ambition. From an early age, Jerry refused to sit still, always learning and seeking new experiences. In 1950, the family relocated from Indonesia to Manokwari, New Guinea. Here in this new land, Jerry wasted no time, and immediately began forging a path of his own. He was entrepreneurial from a young age — at ten he was scaling towering coconut trees to sell fresh fruit in the community, and later opened a bakery supplying bread to local businesses. By the age of sixteen he was meticulously plotting a bold move to Canada. At just seventeen, Jerry embarked on a daring solo journey aboard a Dutch cargo ship to make his way from New Guinea to Canada. Though Vancouver was his intended destination, fate had other plans—he landed in Montreal instead. Before long, his brother joined him, and together they found not just a home, but a thriving community filled with lifelong friendships. In his late teens and early twenties, Jerry was immersed in a busy and exciting life, balancing work, his studies at McGill University, and the vibrant energy of 1960’s Montreal. He and his brother reveled in the city's social scene, often entertaining friends and enjoying their time out. As young bachelors, they became well-known for their charm and sense of adventure, cruising around town in their iconic green convertible ’64 Galaxy 500, a symbol of their carefree spirit and youthful camaraderie. In 1966, destiny struck again when Jerry met a beautiful nursing school student, Maryelle. She was French Canadian, and spoke no English at the time. Maryelle and Jerry learned and perfected their English together — developing unique accents that many found hard to place. After a whirlwind two-year courtship, they tied the knot on September 7, 1968. Their honeymoon was a journey through Europe, where they met Jerry's extended family. Upon returning, they jumped right into building a happy life together — raising three kids and filling their home with love, creativity, and countless stories — some hilarious, some heartfelt, but all timeless and always worth sharing! But adventure was never far behind. In 1980, the family of five packed up once more, answering the call of new opportunities in Texas. Since then, they have made the Houston area their home. A few years after settling in Houston, the oil bust of the '80s sent shockwaves through the city, leaving Jerry, along with countless others, without a job. But Jerry was never one to sit still or wait for opportunity to come to him. With his Accounting career on pause, he rolled up his sleeves and dove into temporary work, and some real estate projects — refusing to let adversity slow him down. Reinvention was his nature, and after months of hustling, he started a new chapter at Continental Airlines. Jerry eventually retired from Continental/United in 2006, but slowing down was never part of his plan. He and Maryelle embraced their love for travel, visiting friends and family near and far, while Jerry remained as passionate as ever about his lifelong hobby —navigating the thrilling ups and downs of the stock market! And walking! Until he couldn’t anymore, Jerry was often on foot. He thrived exploring city life — in his own neighborhood and beyond, making friends with all kinds of fascinating strangers along the way. One time, he walked several miles to work when his car broke down. Being late was not in his nature, so instead of waiting for help, he left the car, and took off on foot! This moment also perfectly reflects his drive for action and reluctance to stand still. Jerry was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend whose love and integrity never wavered. He lived a life filled with both joy and hardship, sharing an unbreakable bond with Maryelle as they navigated profound challenges, including the heartbreaking loss of two of their children. Yet, through every challenge, their love held strong — showing that kindness, compassion, resilience, and the deep bonds we share with family, friends, and each other, are what make life truly meaningful. Jerry’s welcoming and generous spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. The family sincerely thanks everyone for their support and prayers. Jerry lived a happy and remarkable life —full of excitement, meaning, and purpose. He took risks and seized every opportunity to uplift those around him, all while cherishing time with family, old friends, and making new ones along the way. His laugh, silly jokes, and famous 'Jerry-isms' will stay with us always. Jerry’s presence was a gift to us all. Although he left us just a few weeks before his 84th birthday, we’ll honor his memory and celebrate his incredible life on that day – Friday, March 28th, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Joseph J. Earthman Generations, 234 Westcott Street, Houston, Texas. We look forward to honoring Jerry together!

Jerry T. E. Van Assendelft De Coningh

March 28, 1941 - March 11, 2025