Longtime Palisadian and humanitarian Jerome (Jerry) David Stell, beloved husband of Carol Anne Stell, passed away on November 8. He was 76. ”Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on July 25, 1928, Stell graduated from both the University of Iowa and the College of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He became an ordained minister within the American Baptist Association and spoke throughout the country, giving a speech titled ‘I Am a Graduate of Central High School in Little Rock.’ His speech was considered a ‘new theory’ concerning prejudice and segregation. He was quoted as saying, ‘People must come to realize that prejudice is a blindness, an attitude that prevents them from accurately evaluating their fellow men.’ This in a time in the South where segregation was still the norm. ”After moving to Pacific Palisades in the mid-1960s, Stell created a trash-hauling business called Jerry Stell Industries. His company slogan was ‘Call Today, Haul Today,’ and his little advertisement had a permanent place in the Palisadian-Post. ”In a 2001 feature story, writer Laurel Busby described Stell’s humanitarian efforts to clean up Pacific Coast Highway between the Palisades and Santa Monica. He gave out-of-work people a large plastic garbage bag and paid them $10 when they filled the bag with trash from along the highway. In his business, Stell tried to recycle as much of his haul as possible by donating furniture and clothing to whomever was in need. ”Stell was often seen riding at the end of the Fourth of July parade on his motorcycle with Boots, his faithful canine companion. He was always in high spirits and never let anyone or anything get him down. He will always be remembered as the man who did it his way. He wouldn’t have it any other way. ”He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carol, and their two daughters, Juliet of Pacific Palisades and Cindy of Toronto, both of whom graduated from Palisades High.
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