Born Gerald Schram in Wisconsin, Jerry Dean broke into broadcasting via Armed Forces Radio while serving in the Air Force. He came to the Bay Area and found work at a bank while also hosting weekend jazz shows on Vallejo’s KNBA.
Jerry Dean was the first person on the air when KJAZ signed on in 1959 and the last announcer when the station’s jazz format died in 1994.
During his 45 years at KJAZ, Dean was heard in every time slot and served for a time as the station’s operations manager.
Jerry Dean died in 2007 at age 75.