Jerry Atkinson

Gerald Ralph Atkinson (January 12, 1907 – October 8, 1996) was an American businessman and football executive for the Green Bay Packers. Atkinson worked for H. C. Prange Co. in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in various capacities from 1947 to 1973. During this time, he became associated with the Packers. In 1949, he was asked to lead a campaign to help raise funds for the Packers, who had dire financial issues. This campaign, which included an intra-squad game on Thanksgiving Day, raised enough money to keep the Packers afloat. A year later he was elected to the team's board of directors, serving for 45 years until 1995. While on the board, he served an important role in helping advocate for Green Bay voters to authorize funding for New City Stadium (later renamed to Lambeau Field), which was completed in 1957. Atkinson was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the team. He died on October 8, 1996, at the age of 89.

Early life Jerry Atkinson was born on January 12, 1907, in Detroit, Michigan, although he was raised in Columbus, Ohio.

Career Atkinson moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1947 to take a job as the general merchandise manager at the local H. C. Prange Co. store. The next year he was promoted to the store's general manager.

During his time with H. C. Prange Co., he became associated with the Green Bay Packers. As part of the drive, an intra-squad game was held on Thanksgiving Day, with ticket sales helping to raise over $40,000. He was a member of a local Elks Lodge and was an avid bowler. He was active in multiple plans for the redevelopment of downtown Green Bay, both in 1956 and 1980. He died on October 8, 1996, at the age of 89, in Worthington, Ohio.