SJTA Treasurer Jeff Unger Dies at 57

Atlanta—Jeff Unger, co-owner of B&N Jewelry and co-founder of the Prime Jewelry Group, died Feb. 7 due to renal carcinoma cancer-related complications.

He was 57.

Unger served as treasurer for the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association (SJTA), which produces the biannual Atlanta Jewelry Show.

“Always open to taking chances, Jeff was our ‘idea guy’ and will be sorely missed. Jeff’s smile, quick wit and upbeat spirit endured through the good days and bad, and inspired everyone around him with his positivity,” SJTA Executive Director Libby Brown said in a statement to National Jeweler.

“Jeff was the life of every party, never met a stranger, and was truly the light even in the darkest of situations. Laughter, love and hope were present in everything Jeff did, and his decades of devoted service to both SJTA and the industry at large will never be forgotten.”

He was also frequent contributor to Instore magazine and the author of its monthly e-newsletter called “The Mind Massage.”

“Here at InStore, we knew Jeff as a shrewd person of business and in life, and as a friendly face we could always count on seeing at industry trade shows,” said the publication.

He was remembered for his “outstanding resilience and unquenchable thirst for life,” in his online obituary. Comments poured in from those in the jewelry industry who knew Unger, sharing memories of his “contagious smile” and “quick wit”.

Unger was an avid golfer, coaching the local high school team at The Weber School in Atlanta for 10 years and being named coach of the year by the athletic department for 2016-2017.

He taught the game to both children and adults with disabilities, volunteering with the Adaptive Golf program and the MDE School for children with special needs.

In addition, after losing his sister and sister-in-law to breast cancer, Unger and wife Alisa, of Alisa Unger Designs, started Me & My Two Friends, a foundation dedicated to donating money to breast cancer research.

Unger is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Alisa; children Brandi and Jason; and his mother, Sonja.

The family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society, Congregation Etz Chaim for its building fund, or to the golf team of Weber High.