Gerald "Jerry" E. Sponberg

Gerald Eugene “Jerry” Sponberg, 78, of Seaside, died Saturday, July 9, 2011, in Seaside.

He was born Dec. 12, 1932, in Astoria, to Gene V. and Gudrun (Olsen) Sponberg.

In 1952, he graduated from Neah Bay High School in Washington.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1956.

He married Theresa Sponberg. She survives, residing in Seaside.

Mr. Sponberg worked for Crown-Zellerbach for more than 30 years as a heavy equipment operator. He worked on both the old Youngs Bay Bridge and the new Youngs Bay Bridge for seven years. In 1990, he started working for the city of Astoria at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton, retiring in 1997 because of ill health.

He was a member of the International Woodworkers of America Local 3-1, the Teamsters Local Union No. 58 and Clatsop Post 12 American Legion.

Family members said his hobbies included working in his garden with flowers and landscaping. He loved clam digging, fishing and hunting.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two stepsons, Mark L. Clark of Weston and Steve Clark of Portland; a sister, Marianne Bergeson of Gearhart; four grandchildren; and a niece and several nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton. The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs Military Honors will participate.

Memorial contributions may be given to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 120 Ocean Way, Seaside, OR 98138.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com