Gerald "Jerry" Edward Bakke

Gerald Edward (Jerry) Bakke Jr., 85, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 30, 2025, in his hometown of Denver, Colorado. He was the beloved husband of Diane Schuyler Bakke, to whom he was married for nearly 64 years.

Born in Denver, Jerry was the son of Gerald Edward Bakke and Wilma (Luther) Bakke. He graduated from Cathedral High School. After high school, he studied for 18 months at a Colorado Catholic seminary and spent several years in the Colorado Army National Guard. In 1960, he met Diane, the love of his life, on a car trip with mutual friends to Albuquerque. They married soon after and had five sons, Jeb, Karl, Doug, Greg and Chris, over the next nine years.

Jerry was a self-made businessman, initially a top insurance agent with New England Life beginning in 1961, where he achieved the CLU designation. He moved into the residential real estate business in 1973. He was a top-producing agent with Perry & Butler and a founding partner and president of Distinctive Properties Limited. After he formally retired at the age of 62, he enjoyed remodeling homes as a hobby and part-time living, along with his involvement in many groups and activities throughout his retirement years.

Jerry was a tremendous athlete and enjoyed skiing, hiking, cycling, running, swimming and golf. A longtime member of Cherry Hills Country Club, he loved playing golf with his friends and five boys. Jerry was a natural leader, becoming president of just about every organization he joined. As president of HeartCycle Bicycle Touring Club, he organized and rode on dozens of bike rides across Colorado and around the country. He also organized and played in hundreds of golf outings as a member and president of Metro Seniors Golf Club. He participated as an active member of the SkiMeisters ski group for seniors in Winter Park, Colorado. He also climbed all 54 of Colorado’s 14’ers. Jerry was often seen around Denver proudly sporting his “World’s Oldest Athlete” baseball cap.

Jerry would do anything for his friends and family and befriended just about everyone he met. He was steadfastly ethical, thoughtful and had a terrific sense of humor, always cracking jokes and sharing his trademark genuine, hearty laugh with family, friends and strangers alike. More than anything, Jerry adored his entire family. He most enjoyed cycling, skiing, walking and hiking with his 12 grandchildren, who were all his pride and joy, and spending time with Diane, their five boys, their amazing daughters-in-law and their families. He also loved getting together with his dear friends, such as his ‘McDonald’s group” that gathered a couple of times each week.

He is survived by his wife Diane, his sister Diane Rae, sister-in-law Sandy Bakke, his brother-in-law Peter (Stephanie) Schuyler, and his five sons and five daughters-in-law, Jeb (Evan) Bakke, Karl (Traci) Bakke, Doug (Audrey) Bakke, Greg (Jennifer Bonsall) Bakke and Chris (Rebecca) Bakke. Jerry is also survived by his 12 grandchildren: Jake, Alison, Zach, Wesley, Mitch (Sarah), Regan, Paige, Jeremy, Alex (Maggie), Adam, Sophie and Jack Bakke, and two great grandchildren, Thomas and June Bakke. He is also survived by his dear niece Debbie Selbst (Howard) and nephew Phillip Wetzel (Vicky), as well as numerous other wonderful nephews and nieces.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents, his brother Jay Bakke, his brother-in-law Jack Rae, and his sister-in-law Barbara Wetzel.

A memorial celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at Cherry Hills Country Club on Friday, April 18, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is a dress code of business casual, with no jeans. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the charity of your choice.