Jerry E. Selzer

Jerry E. Selzer, 88, passed away peacefully after a brief and courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, October 14, 2023. He drew comfort from his family, including his grandchildren – many of whom live in cities other than Houston – who were by his side in his final days. Jerry was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 13, 1935 to Myrna and Joseph Selzer. He was the youngest of 2 boys. Jerry moved to Houston with his family in 1945 when he was 10 years old. He graduated from San Jacinto High School where he developed strong, lasting friendships. In fact, he took pride in the fact that his high school friends, as well as friends from his synagogue, bowling leagues and other service organizations, continued to enjoy lunch together on a regular basis. While at the University of Houston, Jerry divided his time between work and school, and eventually devoted all of his time to his family and their wholesale plumbing supply business. Jerry met the love of his life, Barbara Schlanger in 1966 at High Holiday services at Congregation Beth Yeshurun. Barbara and Jerry were married on November 17, 1968. He loved and adored all of his children, Eydie and Larry – from a previous marriage – and Lori and Scott. He also enjoyed special bonds with his nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and cousins. Regardless of the sport, Jerry was an avid Houston fan, both professional and college. He was a season ticket holder for the Houston Rockets, Oilers, Texans, Astros and Cougars, and loved nothing more than supporting his teams alongside his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. Jerry was very involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s interests and activities. He even coached many of their sports teams. Jerry was an active member of many service organizations including Congregation Beth Yeshurun’s 100 Jewish Men and Houston Community Service Club. He participated in multiple bowling leagues, which he started in his early twenties and continued until recently. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Schlanger Selzer, parents, Myrna and Joseph Selzer, in-laws Rose and Jack Schlanger; daughter, Eydie Selzer Goldman and sister-in-law Janice Selzer. He is survived by his brother, Earl Selzer, son-in-law Randy Goldman, children, Larry and Elisha, Lori, and Scott and Melissa Selzer; grandchildren, Erika, Lindsey, Sydney, Hayley and Zachary Selzer; sisters in law Andi Schlanger and Bette Wozobski and brother in law Wynn Wozobski; many loving nieces, nephews and cousins, and his beloved dog, Jake. The family would like to express their deep appreciation for the compassion and care of his loving caretakers, Myrtle, Ruby and Addie, his physical therapist, Laura and oncologist, Dr. Garth Beinart. The family requests that donations in Jerry’s memory be directed to the Eydie Selzer Goldman Fund at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, https://www.bethyeshurun.org/payment.php, the Emery/Weiner School, https://www.emeryweiner.org/support/give-to-ews, or the charity of your choice. There was a funeral service for Jerry E. Selzer at 11:00 am on Monday, October 16, 2023 in The Bender Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Ln., Houston, TX 77055. The service will also be livestreamed at https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b

Jerry E. Selzer

September 13, 1935 - October 14, 2023