Gerald Louis Diamond

Jerry was born in Nashville Tennessee to his parents, Lillian Moskavitz Diamond and David Phillip Diamond on January 31st, 1939. Lililan and David were both first generation Americans, their parents having immigrated from Eastern Europe in the early 1900s. They were a part of a southern Jewish community, right at the beginning of what would be World War II.

As a boy, Jerry most enjoyed fishing. The beautiful outdoors, combined with the careful baiting of the hook, the focused casting of the line, quiet solitude and clear goals appealed to him. He was an only child, and had many adults in his family and life who loved him unconditionally. 

Jerry grew up in Nashville, graduating from West End High School in 1956. He went on to graduate from Peabody College in Nashville, where he pledged Alpha Epsilon Pi and at a fraternity party a few years later, met a lovely nursing student from Vanderbilt University named Cindy Fielder, from Waynesboro, Tennessee. 

Cindy and Jerry married in Nashville in 1967. Later, they moved to Memphis, and then to Kansas City, where Jerry continued his career in sales. Jerry was a born salesman. He had an ability to connect with his customers and honestly provide for them what they most needed. This imbued in them a trust that kept them returning to him. This rare and unique trait carried him throughout his career, especially at Krigel’s Jewelry, a place where a man named ‘Diamond’ seemed destined to thrive. And he did thrive, thanks to his many customers who kept returning to him knowing they would receive exactly what they wanted at the price they were hoping for. His sales expertise earned him the nickname “the six-million-dollar-man” amongst his co-workers after an especially good run, who valued his ability and expertise, as well as his kindness and friendship.

Chief among Jerry’s loves were his family, especially his wife, Cindy. Together, they had three children, Camille, David, and Andy. They lived in Shawnee, Kansas and built their life around each other, their careers, friends, and the interests of their children; music, politics, sports, and theater. All three were gifted with his humor, his love of music, his way with people, and his values: honesty, integrity, and love. 

He died peacefully surrounded by his wife and children. He is survived by his wife Mary Cynthia Fielder Diamond (Cindy), his daughter Camille (Diamond-Krebs,) his sons David Harris Diamond and Andrew Frank Diamond. He is also survived by grandchildren Sam and Lily Krebs, son- in-law Michael Krebs, his sister- in -law Virginia Dodge Fielder and special friends Sue Greer and Arlene Garcia Buman.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 11:00 am at Amos Family Funeral Home, visitation will be held one hour prior to service time. The family suggests memorials to the Cross-Lines Community Outreach.