Kerry Broadhurst

Kerry G. Broadhurst May 11, 1951 - January 21, 2025 The family of Kerry G. Broadhurst is sad to announce his passing on January 21, 2025, at the age of 73 from acute myeloid leukemia after a yearlong cancer battle. Kerry was born May 11, 1951, in Oregon City four minutes before his twin brother, Curt, to Marvel Fouts Broadhurst and Harold Broadhurst. They joined their older brother, Dennis, and within the next few years their younger siblings, Rick and Carol, arrived. They grew up in Milwaukie where Kerry loved exploring and playing outdoors with his family and friends in the wooded area near their home. He and Curt had a special bond as twins which was maintained throughout his life. Kerry graduated from Milwaukie High School in 1969 and enrolled in Portland State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in biology in 1974. In 1971 he married Mary Rose Brown and they were happy to become parents with the birth of their son, Kerry Bruce, and later their daughter, Anne. Unfortunately, Mary Rose died of cancer in 1981 and Kerry found himself being a single dad. His job in sales required a lot of traveling which was no longer feasible. After reading a magazine article about men in nursing he decided he wanted to become a registered nurse at a time when few men were nurses. While his wonderful mother-in-law helped care for his children, he returned to school to complete his prerequisites and then attended nursing school while working evenings as a school janitor. He was one of eight men in his nursing school class of 83 students. Kerry was a devoted father during those busy and challenging years. In 1985 he was proud to receive his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Portland. Kerry's first job after graduation was working as a staff nurse at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital where he met Stephanie Coronado, a resident physician in her training program. Stephanie was attracted to him for being a superb nurse, an incredible father, and a very special man. They quickly developed a loving relationship. Kerry and his children welcomed her into the family when they married in 1989. They established a home together in West Linn. Kerry continued his education while working and in 1991 he received his Master of Public Administration degree from Portland State University. The family continued to grow joyfully with the births of Catherine and Jenna. Kerry worked for many years as a nurse manager at Legacy Emanual Medical Center and later at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center. He concluded his nursing career by working as a house supervisor at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center until he retired in 2014. Kerry started working at age 14 because of financial hardship in his family and he did not stop working until retirement. The years he spent going to nursing school while working to support his children as a single father required extraordinary dedication to his family which he willingly provided. He had a strong work ethic and survived difficult times with commitment, confidence, love for his family, and faith in himself. He sacrificed his own needs to do what he thought was necessary to best care for his family. Kerry always put his cherished family first. He enthusiastically supported his children's activities and gladly attended their events. He was proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed his time with them. Hosting family get-togethers was something he loved. He was handy around the house and could fix just about anything that needed fixing. Kerry spent a lot of time taking care of the yard at home and the grounds at his church regardless of the weather. His favorite hobby in retirement was going to his gun club to shoot sporting clays. Kerry was always happy to be driving his 2004 pickup truck. He was a regular walker in his neighborhood. Traveling with Stephanie was something they both enjoyed. In the year prior to his cancer diagnosis they took trips to California, central and southern Oregon, the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii. His favorite was a heartwarming trip to Disneyland with his children and their families. Kerry's family misses his love, humor, positive spirit, and thoughtfulness. He was an incredible and loving husband, father, and grandfather, and he was proud to be the beloved patriarch of the family. His family was blessed to have him and will hold him in their hearts forever. Kerry was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Rose, his brother, Dennis, and his parents. He is survived by his second wife of 36 years, Stephanie, and his children, Kerry Bruce Broadhurst (Sara), Anne Barker (Brent), Catherine Gerard (Michael), and Jenna Broadhurst (Ben). He is also survived by his precious grandchildren, Lexie, Kayden, Brody, Rosemary, Rachel, and Jonah, as well as his twin brother, Curt Broadhurst, and siblings, Carol Broadhurst and Rick Broadhurst. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 22, at 1:00 p.m. at West Linn Lutheran Church, 20390 Willamette Drive, West Linn, Oregon. The live stream and recording can be accessed at the wllc.org website. To honor and remember Kerry the family suggests donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society