03/23/2025
News story
By Tom Henry
Blade Staff Writer
Gerald W. "Jerry" Knorr, an original member of the Johnny Knorr Orchestra who ultimately became its musical director, died March 2 at the Gardens of St. Francis in Oregon. He was 82.
His wife, Emilie Knorr, said he died of myriad health complications that arose after being diagnosed with heart problems years earlier.
"He was very organized," she said of her husband. "He was an engineer by training. He did have a sense of humor. He obviously was dedicated to the band."
Jerry Knorr was the son of one of Toledo's best-known big band and swing orchestra leaders, Johnny Knorr, who died in 2011.
Jerry Knorr was born in Toledo on April 24, 1942.
His wife said he seemed destined for a career in music, given his upbringing in a musical family.
His mother, Jane Knorr, began teaching him piano at the age of 5.
Jerry Knorr later took up the clarinet and saxophone.
"He had a good foundation in piano, which probably helped when he got into musical arranging," Emilie Knorr said.
Mark Felder of Monroe, who played saxophone in the Johnny Knorr Orchestra for 28 years, recalled Jerry Knorr was a prolific musical arranger who also served as a jack-of-all-trades for concert performances, from setting up musical stands to helping get venues, such as Centennial Terrace, in shape before fans arrived.
Mr. Felder said he was a quiet person by nature but thrust himself into the role of leader for the Johnny Knorr Orchestra after health issues forced his father to step away.
"He was very professional," Mr. Felder said of Jerry Knorr. "If there's one thing I want to say about Jerry it's how professional he was."
The number of hours he put into writing the band's arrangements was an impressive feat in itself, Mr. Felder said.
"He wrote a good 90 percent of the charts we played," said Mark Stewart, a fill-in trombonist and pianist for the orchestra. "His writing was very easy to read. He went to a lot of trouble to make it easy for us."
At its peak, the Johnny Knorr Orchestra did as many as 75 or more performances a year, including shows at circuses and ice shows.
Mr. Felder said he realized after writing two arrangements himself how much work they take.
"There's no doubt Jerry loved music and was able to express it through the band," he said. "He was so involved with the band that was pretty much his life outside of work."
Another friend, Bill Genson, remembered Jerry Knorr as a highly respected man with a business-like demeanor.
"I respected him and always thought he was a great musician," Mr. Genson said. "He was a brilliant guy."
Mr. Stewart admired Mr. Knorr's work ethic, as well. He said he knew how to relax and have fun but was all business when it came to getting the orchestra and the venue prepared for a show.
Jerry Knorr emulated his father in another important way, he said.
"He and his dad were two of the most honest businessmen you could ever want," Mr. Stewart said. "They went out of their way to be fair and honest with everyone."
Writer-photographer Doug Swiatecki, who has done extensive research on Toledo's jazz history, said Jerry Knorr and his higher-profile father were "on the same page when it came to music."
"They loved the swing sound, and I think that linked them together," Mr. Swiatecki said. "One thing that strikes me is that Jerry did a lot of heavy lifting, he did all the arranging. That takes time and effort galore. Jerry lived and breathed big band and swing music. He really loved what he did."
Jerry Knorr was a member of the DeVilbiss High School band and orchestra while attending school there. He graduated with honors in 1960.
He also performed at times with his own band, especially for dances.
As a 17-year-old, Mr. Knorr joined the Toledo Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 15-286, because he was playing professionally in the Cal Warmington Orchestra. He played in the saxophone section of that band with his father on one side and an uncle on the other.
When his father formed the the Johnny Knorr Orchestra in 1960, Jerry Knorr was one of the founding members. He played with that band and eventually led it until its retirement in 2015.
He sharpened his musical arranging skills from 1962 to 1964 at the Eastman School of Music, where he wrote for shows featuring Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Mel Torme, and Clark Terry.
Celebrities he performed with during his career include Bob Hope, Bobby Vinton, and many of the Lawrence Welk Show stars.
Jerry Knorr earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1966 from the University of Toledo.
After graduation, he worked for IBM as a systems engineer.
From 1970 to 1972 he was with Toledo Computer Center as vice president of systems and procedures.
Then, for 21 years, from 1972 to 1993, he was senior vice president of APS Medical Billing.
In 1993, he began working for Associated Pathologists Inc. as its corporate financial manger. He worked there for another 15 years, retiring in 2008.
Mr. Knorr was a member of Toledo Federation of Musicians, AFM Local15-286, DeVilbiss High School Alumni, the University of Toledo Golden Alumni Association, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, and Zenobia Shriners.
He also was an avid Lionel train collector, his wife recalled.
Survivors include his wife, Emilie; sons Jeremy Jon Knorr and Michael J. Stribrny; daughter Stephanie M. Stribrny; and three grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Gardens of St. Francis and Kind Hearts Hospice for the care they provided.
Memorial contributions may be made to Oregon Fire and Rescue at 1040 S. Wynn Rd., Oregon, OH 43616, or the Alzheimer's Association Northwest Ohio Chapter.
A celebration of Mr. Knorr's life is planned for a later date. It will be announced on Walker Funeral Homes' website and the Johnny Knorr Orchestra website. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.
Published by The Blade on Mar. 16, 2025.
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