June 7, 1983 - March 22, 2026
Jerry Curtis Cearley III known to the world as “JC” passed away March 22, 2026 presumably from exhaustion after spending 42 years, showing the rest of us what a real man was. He was a natural actor, a natural comedian, a natural athlete, a natural chef, a natural friend and of course, naturally really, really good looking.
Coming in at a whopping 20½ inches and 7 lbs 4 oz, six weeks premature JC was born June 7, 1983 to Jerry and Bonnie Cearley, in Stockton, California. He stood a head taller than 99% of his classmates all through elementary school and would grow to be 6 foot 3 inches 275lbs at his leanest. A Frame that he would go on to shame, lesser men with for years to come. An inquisitive child he loved legos, science and space. Interest that would serve him well in the future.
JC had a heart the size of a watermelon and made life long friends effortlessly with anyone he met. In 1988-89 Colonial Heights elementary school recognized greatness and selected JC to be a “grupe art all-star.” That’s when he would meet Kendall Clark, a scrawny child with a severe overbite. They traded a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for an egg salad sandwich, laying the bedrock for a friendship that would last 37 years. An inseparable duo, both were naturally humorous (although some might say Kendall was funnier, note: Kendall wrote this) and aided by their physical differences they would spread laughter everywhere they went.
At colonial heights JC would start to form a close group of friends in Andrew, Chris, Erik, Kendall, and Mike, later adding Ben in high school. At the hands of JC they would suffer through years of wet Willy’s and stink palms.(Ask Kendall) Lighthearted trickery that he had refined with constant practice on his younger siblings Bobby, Johnny , Meilani, and Taran. Free from repercussions due to his size he’d simply giggle with delight regardless of how upset people got. JC found these tricks hilarious and would eventually put them to use on his own children.
He was instilled with a love of sports and competition from a young age and was gifted with phenomenal family traits of strength and athleticism. JC played baseball & football all through elementary school. In middle school he spent most of his lunch recesses emasculating his peers and teachers alike with his ultimate frisbee skills.
However, it would be at Lincoln high school where he would truly shine as a three-sport athlete. A member of the track team JC threw the shot put. He was a two-way lineman on the football team and helped lead Lincoln to its first ever Section Championship. As a heavyweight wrestler he would routinely humble his opponents. Competitors would usually roll over and play dead once they got a whiff of his superior pheromones but those that didn’t were quickly dominated. JC went undefeated his senior year, would go on to place 2nd in the state of California and ranked in the top 10 nationally. He not only excelled in sports but was also a social butterfly and stole the stage in several theater productions.
Both JC and Kendall were nominated for Mr. Nice Guy an aptly named honor. But being ever the nicer guy (again kendall wrote this) Kendall recused himself from the running because they wouldn’t let them be in each other’s skits. The aforementioned skit was an unforgettable dance routine in which JC was in drag and performed numerous lifts- proof that there was truly nothing he couldn’t do. JC would go on to win Mr. Nice Guy his senior year and it truly couldn’t have gone to a kinder fella.
Always proud of his roots JC had the Tongan coat of arms tattooed on his calf when he attended a Royal wedding on the island of Tonga after graduating high school. His calves would come to be constantly coveted by undesirable solicitors wanting photographs.
JC went on to Fresno State on a wrestling scholarship, continuing crushing hearts and minds while pursuing his passion for engineering. During his time there, he experienced one of his greatest achievements: welcoming his first child, Adam Cearley, on September 4, 2003. Thrilled at the prospect of fatherhood, life was looking up. Unfortunately, a serious training injury—a torn ACL and meniscus—required surgery and brought his collegiate wrestling career to an end.
Undeterred, JC returned to Stockton and shifted his focus to family—and, naturally, to a new challenge: mixed martial arts. He began training in Muay Thai, kickboxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. No longer just a wrestling powerhouse, he became, quite literally, a Swiss Army knife of butt-kickery. He competed in professional state athletic commission events throughout California until a sudden bout of vertigo brought that chapter to a close. Probably for the best—he was entirely too pretty for combat sports anyway. Still, JC continued training and received his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a passion he would later pass on to his children.
He had taken some hard hits but nothing could prepare him for Thanksgiving, 2005. JC would get knocked off his feet when he met the love of his life, Christine. Three short years later, JC and Christine would get married on September 20, 2008 beginning a partnership built on love, strength, and unwavering support. Their romance would span over 20 years and spawn 3 beautiful children. Christine would provide the stabilizing force that would allow JC to follow his dreams.
A true family man he was a virtual rock for the entire family. JC cherished the role of eldest son and older brother. But it would be with Christine that he built his greatest legacy. They would welcome Lana Cearley April 2, 2009, followed by Jerry “JJ” Cearley May 23, 2012 and finally Adelaide Cearley July 10, 2024.
JC was a loving husband and father who found his greatest joy in spending time with his children—whether playing games, watching movies, coaching sports, cheering from the sidelines, or, on occasion, passing down a few of his more questionable childhood traditions. He brought together his love of wrestling and family by helping train his son Adam, and later his daughter Lana, for the Lincoln High School wrestling team.
With Christine’s encouragement, JC returned to school. Proving to be the total package of both brains and brawn, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering from the University of the Pacific, followed by a master’s degree in Computer Engineering. He later worked as an account manager for Molex, commuting to San Jose and continuing to provide for his family with dedication and pride.
Those who knew JC will remember his strength, his humor, his generosity, and his larger-than-life presence. He had a rare ability to make people feel welcome, valued, and entertained—all at the same time.
JC is survived by the love of his life Christine, his four children Adam, Lana, Jerry "JJ", and Adelaide along with his granddaughter Kaelani Rios. He is also survived by his parents ,Jerry and Bonnie Cearley, and his siblings Bobby (Erika), Johnathan "Johnny", Meilani and Taran Cearley.
After years of hard work, perseverance, and a relentless drive to better himself and provide for his family, JC left us far too soon. But if there’s any comfort to be found, it’s knowing he spent his life doing exactly what he loved—lifting others up, making them laugh, and, when necessary, making them tap out.
People say nobody is perfect but apparently those people never met JC.
VISITATION
A family visitation will be held from 10:00am - 11:00am on Friday, April 10th, 2026 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1510 W Century Blvd, Lodi, CA 95242.
SERVICE
A service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, April 10th, 2026 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1510 W Century Blvd, Lodi, CA 95242.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Cearley family.
