Jerry Nave’s life was dramatically altered one fateful night in the late 1990s, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey of survival and resilience.
Early Life and Career
Born and raised in Watts and Pomona, California, Jerry Nave graduated from Ganesha High School in 1981. He found stable employment as a machinist at Duchess Aircraft, a job that provided him with a sense of pride and financial security. Jerry described this period as a time when he was content with life, enjoying the benefits of a steady job that, while not as prestigious as Boeing, treated him well and provided solid benefits.
The Incident that Changed Everything
In late 1997 or early 1998, after finishing his shift at Duchess Aircraft, that Jerry’s life took a tragic turn. While waiting for his bus in Crenshaw at his usual stop, a passing car dramatically altered the course of his life. He remembers nothing from the incident itself, only waking up in General Hospital after being in a coma for four months. The doctors told him he had been shot in the head at point-blank range with a shotgun, an event so severe that it was a miracle he survived at all. They said that being shot at such close range was the only reason his head wasn’t completely destroyed.
The Aftermath and Adjustments
The shooting left Jerry with significant disabilities—he lost fifty percent of his hearing, couldn’t smell, had to breathe through his mouth, and his vision was reduced to seeing mere shadows. His once stable life unraveled quickly; he lost his job, fell out of contact with his large family, and found himself navigating a new existence far removed from the one he knew.
Life on the Streets and Personal Philosophy
For over twenty years, Jerry lived in downtown Los Angeles, relying on his survival skills. Despite the drastic changes, his resilience shone through. He spoke of not feeling sorry for himself and not expecting pity from others. His ability to forgive the unidentified shooter exemplifies his remarkable strength of character. Jerry expressed a sense of contentment with his life as it was, a profound acceptance of his reality, and a focus on survival rather than dwelling on what could have been.
The aftermath of the shooting was a testament to Jerry’s incredible strength and the community’s support. Despite the physical and psychological scars left by the incident, Jerry’s journey did not end with his survival. He faced ongoing health challenges, including complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which ultimately led to his death in November 2020. His story, featured in media outlets like Soft White Underbelly, highlights the profound impacts of such violent incidents on individuals’ lives long after the initial recovery.
Throughout his later years, despite health struggles, Jerry continued to engage with his community and share his story, providing insight into the human spirit’s capacity to endure and adapt. His experience underscores not only personal resilience but also the broader social implications of violence and the importance of support systems for victims.