Visitation: A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held Saturday, June 6, 1:00-3:00pm at Anderson Jones Corcoran Harrisburg Funeral Chapel.

Gerald George “Jerry” “JV” VanDenHul

March 28, 1964 — May 21, 2026

Gerald George VanDenHul, lovingly known as Jerry by his family and friends and as “JV” throughout his online and creative life, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on May 21, 2026, in Wichita, Kansas, at the age of 62.

Jerry was born on March 28, 1964, in Canton, South Dakota, to George and Janet VanDenHul.

Jerry’s love of country and military service was inspired in part by his father, George. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and the South Dakota Air National Guard as a jet engine technician.

Following his military career, Jerry built a respected professional life in aviation and aerospace engineering, with a specialty in hydraulics. He worked on multiple commercial, defense, and NASA programs throughout his career, ultimately retiring from Lockheed Martin as a Senior Staff Engineer and Subject Matter Expert in hydraulics.

Racing was one of Jerry’s lifelong passions. Over the years, he raced snowmobiles and participated in drag racing, sprint car racing, dwarf cars, and dirt track racing. He also had a deep love for NASCAR and the racing community.

Jerry poured his heart into building the JVThunderCat and Racin’ for a Livin’ vision, a creative world that brought together his love of racing, storytelling, music, and connection. He believed in the possibilities it held, not only for himself, but for the many friends, creators, racers, musicians, and family members he hoped to inspire and involve.

Music also became an important part of Jerry’s creative life. He spent countless hours writing lyrics, developing concepts, producing songs, and building musical storylines connected to the JVThunderCat world he envisioned. Songs such as When Eagles Fly, Rise of the ThunderCat, and many more that reflected pieces of his life, personality, dreams, struggles, and sense of identity.

Jerry’s life and stories were so full that his friend, author Marguerite Ashton, had begun writing a book about his life.

When Jerry became part of Theresa’s life, he also became a steady and important presence in the lives of her sons, whom he loved and supported as his own.

He is survived by his mother, Janet VanDenHul; his wife, Theresa Colleen VanDenHul; his daughter, Amie Jo VanDenHul; and his stepsons Terry Young II and his wife Erin, George Young and his wife Kate, and Steven Young and his wife Sammi.

Jerry was a proud grandfather to Christopher, Piper, Laney, Alex, Molly, Harper, Lennox, Danny, and Avery, and great-grandfather to Teagan and Annabelle.

He is also survived by his siblings Julie Ruud, Jeff VanDenHul, and Jill VanDenHul.

He was preceded in death by his father, George VanDenHul.

He will be remembered for his patriotism, creativity, love of racing and aviation, storytelling, music, humor, and the enormous love he carried for his family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held Saturday, June 6, 1:00-3:00pm at Anderson Jones Corcoran Harrisburg Funeral Chapel. Additional service details will be announced by the family.

“Racin’ for a Livin’ — It Ain’t Just a Sport, It’s a Way of Life.”

Forever loved. Forever remembered.