Jerome "Jerry" Lewis Kaplan

Jerome “Jerry” Lewis Kaplan, 86, died peacefully on January 26, 2022. Born in Macon, Georgia on September 3, 1935 to the late Genevieve Berkman Kaplan and Ira Kaplan, Jerry enjoyed his life in Macon and his years at Lanier High School before heading to Athens. He graduated from the University of Georgia and Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer, where he was on Law Review.

Jerry began practicing law in Macon in 1961 with the firm that became Adams, O’Neal, Hemingway, Kaplan, Stone & Brown. He credited Charles Adams with teaching him the business of law and Hank O’Neal with teaching him the practice of law. In 1976, Jerry formed his own firm where he practiced with other partners until the firm merged with the Atlanta law firm of Arnall Golden & Gregory in 1985, becoming the bankruptcy department for the firm. In 2004, Jerry became a partner with Stone and Baxter in Macon, where he continued to practice until he became ill with Parkinson’s disease. He never officially retired, but became “Of Counsel” at the firm.

Jerry had a true love of the law. He took great joy in teaching new lawyers how to practice law and in imparting his knowledge to them.  Jerry was a member of the Commercial Law League of America, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. Through these organizations, he met attorneys from all over the country with whom he developed friendships. In addition to his practice, for decades Jerry authored and updated a book on Georgia corporate law that was the authoritative source used by business law attorneys throughout the state.

Jerry met the love of his life on a blind date when Louise Schram visited Macon with her family. They corresponded while she lived abroad and married in 1963 after a brief courtship. They were happily married for 56 years until Louise passed away unexpectedly in 2019.

Jerry was a devoted son, son-in-law, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend. He had a special way of connecting with people and comforting them, even during difficult times. People of all ages and stages sought his advice about both their personal and professional lives.  Jerry was a patient, witty, intelligent man, who was incredibly kind and generous. He will be missed by many.

Jerry is survived by his daughter Lise Kaplan (Eddie Wimberly), son Billy Kaplan (Heather), grandchildren, Eliza Freedman, Frank Kaplan, and Genevieve Kaplan, and bonus granddaughters, Megan Wimberly and Kate Wimberly. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Albert “Buddy” Schram (Peggy), nephews Andrew Schram (Yuan Zhang) and Jeff Schram (Natalie Mandel) and two great-nephews.

The family would like to thank Gary Taylor, Alan Taylor, Kent Taylor, and Kim Patterson for their care and devotion to Jerry.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel in Macon, Georgia. Masks will be required at the service.  The service will be livestreamed on Hart's Mortuary Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Daybreak Day Resource Center, 174 Walnut Street, Macon, Georgia 31201 or Macon Outreach at Mulberry, 267 First Street, Macon, Georgia 31201.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s at the Cupola, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 6324 Peake Rd, Macon, GA 31210 has charge of the arrangements.

Daybreak, a Project of Depaul USA
174 Walnut St., Macon GA 31201