Richard Jonathan Gerfen

COOKEVILLE CHAPEL -Richard Jonathan Gerfen, (February 24, 1975 – August 19, 2025) To know Jon was to love him. He had a way of making every person - especially children - feel seen, valued, and loved. Jon's compassion and generosity extended to everyone. He checked in, showed up, and he poured out love in ways both big and small and carried burdens that were not his own, simply because he cared. He had a special way of leaning into people's interests, encouraging their dreams, and making sure no one felt forgotten. And the love he had for his wife, Heather was extraordinary. It was the kind of love that filled their home with warmth and gave them a world together that they both cherished deeply. He lived his life with quiet generosity, always finding a way to give-whether time, comfort, or support-even when he had little left for himself. His strength was not in how full his cup was, but in how freely he poured from it. His kindness was the kind that didn’t ask for recognition; it simply existed, day after day, in the way he moved through the world.

Jon was born on February 24, 1975 in Chico California to Perry “Richard” and Sharon Kay Gerfen. Growing up in Corning California with his siblings, he loved rough housing. As his mother, Sharon says, “No bed was safe!”. He played football, and found an intense love for wrestling. WWE was his passion, and he carried that into his adult life, sharing it with anyone who would listen! In his freshman year of high school, he discovered Dungeons and Dragons and found an even more intense love for the game, lovingly calling it “Math Rocks”, often to make it sound like he was studying at a friend’s home instead of playing games. His “DnD” group continues on to this day and into the future.

He began his professional career with McDonalds in Chico California at age 20, which he maintained through Tucson Az and into Cookeville Tn. It was the age of 43, in Cookeville that he felt the need to change paths and began his career in banking with Truist Bank, where he said he found his true calling.

Jon was taken far too soon by a severe unexpected cardiac event, resulting in a motor vehicle accident on August 19th, 2025 that allowed him to go home to his Lord and Savior. He leaves behind his loving wife of 19 and a half years, Heather Gerfen of Cookeville Tn. His niece, Emma Cercone, who was more like a bonus daughter, of Cookeville Tn. His parents, Richard and Sharon of Corning California. A brother, Jason Gerfen of Corning California. Two sisters, Robyn “Pookie” (Jerry) Bell, of Gerber California, and Meghan Gerfen of Corning California. Three nephews Draven Tregoning of Gerber California, Timothy Johnson of Oroville California, and Alexander Harris of Cookeville Tn. Two additional nieces Taylor Bell of Oroville California and Jessica Bell of Glenhaven California. His Father-in-law Larry Dockery of Cookeville Tn. Mother-in-law Becky Dively of Cookeville Tn, and a host of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Sister and Brothers-in-law and many, many friends. With special mention of his “DnD” group, Lohades, consisting of, Frank Bedene, Jennifer Bedene, Mykal Criswell, Kendrick Adkins, and Dony Snow and Craig (both passed away).

Jon had made the decision to be an organ donor and to be cremated. His Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday evening on September 5th from 5pm to 8pm and Saturday, September 6th wit Visitation at 10am, and Services at 11am at Living Hope Church at 1020 E. Spring St., Cookeville TN, 38501

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the families GoFundMe to aide in paying for this unexpected event, bills, and other expenses, or make a donation to a Non-Proffitt Fibromyalgia research group in Jon’s name, or another charity of your choice in his name. Thank you.