Gerald Roger "JR" Raulerson, 79, passed away peacefully in hospice care in St. Petersburg, Florida on December 24, 2024.
Born September 8, 1945, in Bartow, Florida, he attended Bartow High School. JR loved life and was a born salesman and he excelled as such his entire career. He never met a stranger and built many enduring and cherished friendships that lasted his lifetime. He was amazingly handy and could fix or build just about anything he put his mind to, especially when it came to his love of cars and woodworking. He was an avid golfer and loved cooking and enjoying good food, enjoying a glass of good Cabernet and a nice cigar with his friends. He touched many lives with his positive attitude, resilience and humor over the years. JR traveled extensively and his career took him from Florida to Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and back to Florida. JR loved and was loved by so many, especially his family.
JR married Candice Crawford after high school and they had two children, Thomas Gerald Raulerson and Deborah Rene Raulerson (Spielman). He was remarried in 1983 to Theresa Frulio and they had a son, Nathan Joseph Raulerson, who preceded him in death in 2019.
JR was the son of Kelly Raulerson and Mary (Coker) Raulerson of Bartow, Florida. He is also preceded in death by his beloved brother, Thomas Kelly Raulerson. He is survived by his loving and devoted partner of 11 years, Jane Wolfe, his adored children, Tom and Debbie, his grandchildren Megan, Michael and Devin and his grandchildren by marriage Scott Jr., Heidi, Cassandra, Steven, Aaron and many other family members across the Raulerson, Crawford, Coker and Frulio families.
Graveside service will be held at 11am, Friday, January 17th, 2025, at Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery where he will be laid to rest alongside his parents, located at 14402 Salem Church Road, Dover, Florida 33527.
A celebration of his life will immediately follow at Smokin' Aces BBQ & Steakhouse, 2509 North Park Rd., Plant City Florida 33563.
In leu of flowers, please consider a donation to the United Way of Central Florida by visiting their website at www.uwcf.org and clicking on "Give Now".
