R. Gerald Barris, 77, of Springfield, passed away on Monday, Nov. 27 at his residence. Jerry was born on January 26, 1940 in Elwood, IN, the son of Harold E. and Ruth Allen Barris. He married Carolyn Evans on May 17, 1964 in Springfield. 

Jerry graduated from Rich Township East High School in Park Forest, IL in 1958. He then attended Denison University and after graduating from there in 1962, he served as a Ford Fellow and one of the first legislative interns with the Illinois General Assembly from 1962-63. He enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army in 1963, attended Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning, GA and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1964. He served a two-year tour of duty in Munich, Germany, for the U.S. Army Intelligence. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant in 1966.

Jerry received his J.D. from Washington University in 1969 and joined Sorling Northrup of Springfield in 1972. He was a past chairperson of the Civil Practice and Procedure Section of the Illinois State Bar Association. He was a barrister and past president of the Lincoln-Douglas American Inn of Courts. Jerry was a member of the American Bar Association, The American Association for Justice, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and Defense Research Institute. Most recently, Jerry was the director of property management for the Secretary of State.

In his spare time, he enjoyed gardening, watching sporting events, tennis, and rollerblading. However, his favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren.