Jerry Tully

July 16, 1952 – July 19, 2023

Gerard Martin Tully, known by his friends and family as Jerry, passed away on July 19th, 2023 in Davis, CA. Jerry was a passionate and deeply respected journalist who embarked on a professional writing career in the 1980s. He wrote for the influential news magazine shows 20/20, Dateline, and later the biography program Headliners and Legends.

A compassionate person who loved his family and inspired countless people through his work and his excellent conduct in life, he taught largely by example. He had an extremely strong appreciation for the arts, music, philosophy, technology and more.

Jerry was above all a humanist. Jerry was an artist beyond his writing, which he expressed through various creative outlets and his spiritual sensibility. He often prayed and after a two decade-long battle with Parkinson’s disease he left his body peacefully and happily, surrounded by his family.

Jerry had a profound respect for photography, and he always supported his wife Joanne’s professional and creative work as a journalistic and fine arts photographer. Jerry is survived by his loving wife Joanne, and his two sons Jeremy and Ryan.

Journalism

Drawn to journalism from a young age, Jerry began his career with the innovative CBS Cable program Signature. From there, he joined the Today Show, before becoming a broadcast writer for the acclaimed news magazine show, 20/20.

After many years at 20/20, Jerry left to become one of the original producers of NBC’s Dateline. Later, he would work for MSNBC’s Headliners and Legends, as well as pursue his own independent media production. In 2007, he won an Emmy for his work as a writer, producer, and editor for the PBS documentary Keeping Kids Healthy.

Below are select highlights from his career as a journalist.

• Challenger: Beyond the Tragedy (MSNBC)
• Keeping Kids Healthy: Triumph of the Spirit – Conquering Spinal Cord Injury (PBS)
• Stepping closer to a Parkinson’s Cure (ABC News)
• The numbers game, Mideast-style (MSNBC)
• Seeking Justice for Justine (ABC News)

Life and Family

Jerry grew up in Newark, Delaware, the son of Mary and Harold Tulley. Born in 1952, he was the youngest of the Mary and Harold’s five children Hal, Mary, Paul, and Tommy.

After attending University of Delaware, Jerry ultimately moved to New York City in the late 1970’s, where he would begin his career as a journalist, as well as meet his wife Joanne.

Jerry placed great importance on being a loving husband and father. In particular, he always supported his wife Joanne in pursuing her artistic photography. He also took great pride and joy in being a father to their two children, Jeremy and Ryan.

For more photos of Jerry, visit his wife Joanne’s site.

Remembering Jerry

If you wish to do something in Jerry’s memory, please consider donating to one of the below groups, which advocated for causes dear to Jerry’s heart.

FAIR – Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

We also invite people to leave remembrances of Jerry below.