Jerome (Jerry) Reed Lyman died peacefully at home in Santa Rosa, CA on June 26, 2026. Born in Urbana, Illinois, he was a talented, humble man.

Jerry graduated cum laude from Harvard in 1971 and had an MA in film from S.F. State. He was a builder, hand craftsman, and artist. His passions in life were plants, gardening, and growing food for his family and friends.

Moving to Sonoma County in 1988, he became a Master Gardener and began a devoted commitment to feeding folks from his amazing backyard farm. Having played basketball and run cross country in high school, Jerry developed a lifelong commitment to physical fitness. He found wonderful friends at the YMCA where he taught a fitness class for 25 years. Jerry joined the Empire Runners Club in 1997. From the Boston Marathon to five Dipsea black shirts, running and cavorting with his ERC buddies gave him great joy. He was an outdoorsman, nature lover, backpacker, and avid rock climber.

Jerry was a loving, selfless human being. He was funny, open-hearted, generous, and kind. Family was the light of his life. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two brothers, and a large global family. In keeping with his core principle to be of service, he donated his body to UCSF Medical School.

Jerery would encourage all of us to take a stroll in the park, hike in the woods, or run on the beach in his memory.