Jerry Ligon, 86, Lake Forest

Jerry W. Ligon, 86, toy maker, refrigerator maker, printed circuit board, microphone, and golf ball maker, loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, leader and member of many communities and organizations, died Tuesday May 2, 2023 in Lake Forest, IL, surrounded by his family. Jerry was the first of two children, born September 17, 1936 to Willard and Mary Ligon, Virginians transplanted to Pennsylvania. Willard worked for Westinghouse, which took his family from Pittsburgh to Buffalo, then Palo Alto, where Jerry was active in sports and became an Eagle scout. He attended Oregon State University, majoring in Electrical Engineering and serving as President of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He met Fay Louise Ownbey at OSU and they married in 1957. Last August, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. After serving as a lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps, Jerry followed in his father’s footsteps as an engineer, becoming an accomplished, innovative senior operations executive. He worked for numerous companies, including Westinghouse, Electro-Voice, Wilson Sporting Goods, and Playskool, before retiring as President of Operations of Hasbro Inc.

Throughout his life, Jerry modeled integrity, a sense of humor, social engagement, and a commitment to family and community. His intelligence and quick wit were balanced by compassion and humility. He was dedicated to justice and fairness in his work life and the many communities he was part of. After retiring in 1998, Jerry and Fay enjoyed extensive travel internationally and around the US, spending time with children and grandchildren, before settling in Illinois at Lake Forest Place. There Jerry served the community in a variety of ways: with a literacy program in North Chicago; through active membership at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest; and in leadership roles at Lake Forest Place, among many others.

Jerry was socially and professionally engaged all his life, serving on multiple boards, including the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, the East Greenwich RI School Board, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and on various committees at Lake Forest Place, most recently as Chair of the Finance Committee. He was a citizen of the country and the world, living all over the U.S. and pursuing business interests in South and Central America, Asia, and Europe. He served as an advisor to start-up companies. He listened to and respected people. He laughed and made people laugh. And he lived a long, full life.

Jerry was an inspiration to his colleagues, friends, and family. He is survived by his wife Fay, his children, Sheila Greene and husband Jeff, Sandy Ligon, Sam Ligon and wife Kate Lebo, Paul Ligon and wife Justine, and twelve grandchildren: Sam G, Daniel, Laura, Anna, Tim, Natalie, Jane, Sam B, Jack, Paul, Eliza, Cy, as well as three great grandchildren—Luka, Sullivan, and June.

A celebration of his life will be held on June 23rd at noon at Lake Forest Presbyterian church, followed by a reception at Lake Forest Place. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Save the Children or the Salvation Army.

Info: Wenban Funeral Home 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com.