Obituary of Jerry Kadovitz

Jerry Kadovitz of Woodland Hills, CA, passed away on October 2, 2025 / 10 Tishrei 5786 on Yom Kippur. He was 96 years old. Jerry grew up on Denver’s Westside and attended Cheltenham Elementary, Lake Jr. High and North High School. He was preceded in life by his parents Sam and Tillie Kadovitz, and siblings Harold “Hershy” Kadovitz and Shirley Lookholder and his wife Joan Kadovitz. He is survived by his children Sean, Jordan (Michelle), and Jana Kadovitz and grandchildren Chelsea and Zach Kadovitz, and Olivia and Phoebe Kadovitz. Also, by his nieces and nephews, Sherri, Betty, Meyer (Persow) and Michael “Mordy” Kadovitz. Jerry was an accomplished professional musician, having played trumpet with many Big Bands, including, Tex Benke, Lawrence Welk, Freddy Martin, Ray Coniff, the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and Les Brown and his Band of Renown where he toured for many years with Bob Hope as they visited American troupes serving overseas.  His last performance with Les Brown was at the Denver Westside Reunion in 1985.  

Pending memorial services will be held in Los Angeles. 

Donations in his memory may be made to the Hebrew Educational Alliance Music Fund https://www.headenver.org  or  Rocky Mountain Arts Association (DGMC) https://rmarts.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/rmarts/donation.jsp?campaign=52