Jess Stafford Reavis - January 1, 2007
Ola Bell Vance - January 2, 2007
Margaret Coombs - January 4, 2007
Hazel Ann Cunningham - January 5, 2007
Margaret Fern Kent - January 7, 2007
Pete Garcia - January 9, 2007
Rosa Lee Strong - January 13, 2007
Fay Hopkin Smith - January 17, 2007
John William (Bill) Moore - January 17, 2007
David Hinkle - January 17, 2007
Mary Anna Potter - January 20, 2007
Dolores A. Cruz - January 20, 2007
Leora Asay Lewis - January 21, 2007
Isobel Slaughterbeck - January 28, 2007
Duard Farmer - January 29, 2007
Jerry Harrington - January 22, 2007
Jess Stafford Reavis - January 1, 2007
Jess Stafford Reavis of Powell died on his 71st birthday on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2007, in Deaconess Hospital in Billings, Mont.
He was born Jan. 1, 1936, in Los Angeles, Calif., son of Carroll Gordon Reavis and Margaret Georgie (Pressey) Reavis. He completed his high school education and married Lois Mae Root on March 31, 1956, in Fresno, Calif.
They lived in California and Powell. They were later divorced.
Jess was a former pastor of the Landmark Missionary Baptist Churches in Greenfield and Salinas, Calif., and a member of the Neighborhood Assembly of God in Bishop, Calif. While residing in Bishop, he led the Tuesday morning men's prayer group for several years and started a ministry in the local care center.
He enjoyed fishing, preaching and camping. He was a member of the Masonic organization and served as assistant fire chief of the Chalfant Valley Volunteer Fire Department in California.
Survivors include former wife Lois M. Reavis of Powell; four daughters, Margaret Darr (Larry) of Savannah, Mo., Karen Sellers (Eric) of Powell, Cynthia Slusher (Mike) of Bonney Lakes, Wash., and Lisa Wilson of Powell; and seven grandchildren, Doug, Brian, Ellen, Joshua, Nicholas, Krystal and Katie; and one great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Gene DeWolfe and Richard DeWolfe.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5 at Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell, with Masonic rites. Denyce Reno of Thompson Funeral Home will officiate.
Pallbearers at the service will be Doug Stamper, Brian Stamper, LCPL Joshua Cummings, Nicholas Cummings, Larry Darr and Eric Sellers.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Chalfant Valley Fire Department, 215 Valley Rd, Chalfant Valley, CA 93514.
Ola Bell Vance - January 2, 2007
Word has been received here of the death of former Powell resident, Ola Bell Vance, on Jan. 2, 2007, in Texas. She was 87.
She was born Oct. 21, 1919, in Hamlin, Texas, to Alvin and Martha Hill. She and her husband, George, came to Wyoming during oil boom days. Unfortunately, George died in a house fire in 1963.
Ola went on to become a cook, baker and ticket puncher at the Powell High School cafeteria. She knew almost every student by name and especially by personality. She worked nights at Classic Lanes bowling alley for Mick Walker, whom she considered more of a son than an employer. She was an avid bowler herself.
Later, she worked at McGlathery’s greenhouses, a job she much enjoyed because Ola loved her gardening and grew many beautiful flowers. She was devoted to her religious beliefs.
Ola knew just about everyone and was loved by many. She had a smile for everyone; never knew a stranger and was there for anyone.
Survivors include her two daughters; her grandchildren whom she loved and enjoyed so much, Stacy, Lisa and Gary (Wethermon), Sam and Colie (Lovett) and Kyle Ninker; and many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband George and son Randy. She will be missed.
Memorial donations to the USBC Youth Bowling League would honor her memory.
Margaret Coombs - January 4, 2007
Margaret Elizabeth Bizek Coombs died Thursday, Jan. 4 at Billings Clinic, surrounded by family.
She was born in Athabaska, Alberta, Canada to Adolph and Euphemia Bizek on Aug. 19, 1920. She married William (Bill) Coombs, Jr Oct. 28, 1949 in Athabaska, Alberta, Canada.
Margaret left the farm in Athabaska and moved to Edmonton to obtain her teaching degree at a normal school. She held a job as a telemarketer while going to school. After receiving her teaching certificate, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse. She met her future husband at a dance, married and moved to the States.
They lived in Billings before moving to Shepherd, Mont. With six to feed, she grew a huge garden and canned the produce. Margaret worked at Rocky Mountain College as a cook and the later at Shepherd as a cook and also sold Avon. After moving to Powell, she kept up her love for gardening with small plots and really got involved in flower gardening. She loved to grow things. Margaret enjoyed snowmobiling and camping. During the years, they owned several businesses in Powell.
Margaret and Bill were active in the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a Past Matron, served as Grand Representative to South Carolina and held most chapter offices.
Survivors include her children, Bob (Eddie) Coombs of Shepherd Mont., Jan (Terry) Byrd of Billings, Mont., Ray (Karen) Coombs of Powell and Patty (Scott) Branstetter of Laurel, Mont.; grandchildren, Wendy Samsel, Toni (Dan) Brady, Zack (Diana) Coombs, Joe (Rachel) Coombs, Becky Coombs, David (Michael) Coombs, Travis Byrd and Krystal and Nicole Branstetter; great-granchildren, Haylie and Summer Samsel, Baby Gracie and Mason Coombs and Taylor (Charlie) Brady; a brother, Dave (Lorene) Bizek; sister-in-law, Irene Johnson; and several nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bill; brothers Jim and Art; and sister Effie.
Services will be Friday, Jan. 12 at 11 a.m. in Powell at Thompson Funeral Home.
Hazel Ann Cunningham - January 5, 2007
Hazel Ann Cunningham, 87, of Powell died at her home Friday, Jan. 5.
She was born in Mason City, Ill., on Dec. 11, 1919 to William J. and Bessie Mae Osborn. Her family moved to Missouri in 1929, and she lived there until she married Herschel Cunningham on Sept. 11, 1940. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to California where their two children, Carol and Larry, were born. After his retirement In 1976, Hazel and Herschel moved to Tri City, Ore., where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
In November, 1990, Herschel died and Hazel remained in Tri City until 1997 when she moved to Powell to be near her daughter, Carol, and her family. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Powell.
Survivors include her son, Larry Cunningham of Couer d'Alene, Idaho; daughter Carol Hopkins of Powell; brothers, Frank and Harold Osborn, and sister Ethel, Hulatt, all of Missouri; brother William Osborn of Texas and Dale Osborn of Myrtle Creek, Ore; five grandchildren, Terri White of Nevada, Tim Hopkins of Texas, Traci Hopkins, Robby Cunningham and Terra Cotterman of Arizona; five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Roy, Bob, Donald and Earl.
Funeral services will be held in Myrtle Creek, Ore., where she will be buried next to her husband, Herschel.
Margaret Fern Kent - January 7, 2007
Margaret Fern Kent, 92, died Sunday, Jan. 7 at the Powell Valley Care Center.
She was born Dec. 4, 1914, in Omaha, Nebr., and graduated from high school in Freemont, Nebr.
After moving to Brighton, Colo., with her family, she met and married Cecil Kent in 1936. They had a son, Ronald Kent, in 1938.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband and five siblings.
Survivors include her son Ronald of Byron, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, and five grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Brighton, Colo., at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16. For those who wish, memorial donations to the Cody Senior Center would be appreciated by the family.
Pete Garcia, 77, of Powell, died Tuesday, Jan. 9 at Powell Valley Hospital.
He was born Dec. 8, 1930, in Garland, a son of Nick Garcia Sr. and Carmin Gallegos. He received his education in the Powell schools.
On June 27, 1959, he married Hope Garcia, and they lived in Powell. Hope died Dec. 5. He was a carpenter/mechanic and a member of the Catholic church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and collecting classic cars. As a grandpa, he enjoyed telling stories, and his family always came first.
Survivors include daughters Jane (Michael) Showalter, and Delia Lackey, both of Powell; brother Nick Garcia of Farmington, N.M.; sisters Dolores (Dale) Montoya of Powell, and Frances (Domingo) Nevarez of Yakima, Wash.; and 10 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Hope; sons Ray and Pete Jr.; and sisters Emily Munoz, Angelia Bayne, Josie Malliott, and Margaret Gonzales; and brothers Max, Benny and Patrick Garcia.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 13 at 9 a.m. at St. Barbara's Catholic Church in Powell, with Father Pete Johnson officiating. Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Rosary will be said Friday, Jan. 12, 8:15 p.m., at the church.
Rosa Lee Strong - January 13, 2007
Memorial services for Rosa Lee Strong will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 at First United Methodist Church in Powell.
The Rev. Susan Adams Trembath will officiate.
Rosa Lee Strong died Oct. 16, 2006, in Billings, Mont., at the age of 91. She was interred alongside her husband, Ray, after graveside services at East Hill Cemetery in Roff, Okla. At the time, the family said a memorial service would be scheduled later.
She was a member of the Methodist Church in Powell for more than 50 years.
Fay Hopkin Smith - January 17, 2007
Funeral services for Fay Winifred Hopkin Smith will be held Saturday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Ave. E Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She died Wednesday, Jan. 17 at the age of 91 in the Powell Valley Care Center where she had been a resident for two weeks.
Fay was born June 29, 1915 in Penrose, Wyo., to Fredrick William Hopkin and Elizabeth Wilson Hopkin. She attended the Penrose School through the first five grades until the schools were consolidated and the children were transported to Powell. She graduated from Powell High School in 1933.
After graduation she moved to Powell, and with her spirit of independence, she found an office job with Roney Sales and Service where she worked for many years.
On Aug. 2, 1938, she married James H. Smith who had moved to Garland from Indiana some years earlier. A short time after their marriage, they purchased a farm in the Northend Community. Their two sons, Harold and Dennis, were born there. They farmed there for the remainder of their married life, adding more acreage through the years until Smith Farms became an extensive and profitable operation.
Having grown up on a farm, milking cows and driving tractors, Fay became a working partner on the farm and involved herself in the day-to-day operations associated with it. When the boys were grown up enough to be of some help, Fay returned to work in the office, this time with the Farmers’ Home Administration. She continued there for many years, even after Jim’s retirement when they built a home on Division Street in Powell and moved to town. Harold and Dennis assumed the responsibilities of the farm after her husband’s retirement.
Tragedy came into Fay’s life with the death of her two sons and husband. Harold died in a farm accident in 1978; husband, Jim, died in 1995; and son, Dennis, died in 1999 of a brain tumor.
Her life would have been empty and without purpose except for the care and attention of her two daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. She delighted in their frequent visits at her home and later at the Heartland, and also enjoyed attending their school and family activities
She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints all her life and participated as Sunday School Secretary and Ward Librarian for many years. She was also a visiting teacher.
Survivors include her daughters-in-law, Ardell Smith and Judy Loyning, both of Powell; six grandchildren, Denise (Dan) Laursen, Shane Smith, Becky Rosin, Greg (Tracy) Smith, Travis (Carei) Smith, and Ginger (Randy) Lieser. Also surviving are 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Zona Roper; a brother, Burchell Hopkin; and two sisters-in-law, Dorcas Hopkin and Alyce Hopkin.
She was preceded in death by her husband and two sons; a sister, Mary Simian; and two brothers, Fred W. Hopkin and Harold (Whitey) Hopkin.
Visitation will be Friday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the church.
John William (Bill) Moore - January 17, 2007
John William “Bill” Moore, general contractor and Clark area buffalo rancher, died Wednesday morning, Jan. 17 at his ranch home in Clark. He was 70.
He was born March 2, 1936, in Cheyenne to John William Moore and Mary Clara Franch. He graduated from Natrona County High School and married his school-days sweetheart, Patricia May Spencer, on June 28, 1955.
He created many unique structures in Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Nevada and Idaho and was known for his artistic craftsmanship. He was the first to bring buffalo ranching to Clark and raised many trophy animals. He was a private pilot and loved flying his Cessna airplanes. He found pleasure in the great outdoors and was a renowned camp cook!
He and his wife served six missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Utah, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Spain/Portugal and Mexico. He also served as Mission President in the Dominican Republic.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by 10 children: Barbara Ann (Bart) Smith of Rexburg, Idaho, Catherine Bridget (David) Myers of Lusk, Dorothea Collene (Richard) Jackson of Belfry, Mont., Elizabeth Dee (Victor) Jackson of Belfry, Mont., Melanie (John) Lennon of Powell, Mary Ann (Michael) Sapp of Worland, John William (Connie) Moore of Powell, Patricia (Jesse) Sutherland of Kimberly, Michelle (Timothy) Beasley of Spring Creek, Nev., and Ruby Lynn Goller of Byron. Forty-seven grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren lovingly called him “Opa.” He also has a foster daughter, Brenda Hernandez of Mexico City, Mexico.
He is also survived by his siblings, Mary Ellene (Robert) Streeter of Hulett, Joan Carina (William) Wade of Casper, Mary Aliece (Royce) Kloehn of Minneapolis, Minn., Clifton (Janet) Frisbie of Gallatin, Tenn., and Sandra Frisbie of Sacramento, Calif. His mother died in her 95th year on Jan 1, 2007.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Belfry Branch LDS chapel in Belfry, Mont., at 1 p.m. Interment will be at the Clark Cemetery following the services.
David Hinkle - January 17, 2007
David Thomas Hinkle, 55-year-old Lander businessman, died Wednesday, Jan. 17.
He was born in Lander June 5, 1951 to Joseph Thomas Hinkle and Alys Maxine Brandon Hinkle.
He grew up in Lander and graduated from Fremont Vocational County High School in 1969. After high school, David enlisted in the United States Army, 101st Airborne Division, building bridges with the Army Corps of Engineers. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was honorably discharged as
a decorated Vietnam War veteran in 1973.
Following his honorable discharge, he attended the University of Wyoming for one year before he began working in the family business, American Industrial Laundry, Inc., as the division manager of Eagle Uniform in Rock Springs. David continued to work in the family business from 1974 to 1994, purchasing the business in 1994 from his parents, Joe and Alys. He continued to expand the business statewide.
In 1975, David and Lisa McCart were married in Lander. They had three children, Jess, Sarah, and Cale.
David was an avid reader and loved the great outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, kayaking, skiing, snow boarding, and snowmobiling with his family. He was one of the first group of students who attended NOLS in the late sixties and in the summer before he graduated from FCVHS he worked as an instructor for Paul Petzoldt, founder of the National Outdoor Leadership School. David enjoyed flying and attained his pilot’s license in 1978, flying mainly for his business.
He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
David is survived by his parents, Joe and Alys Hinkle of Lander; sister Dana Hinkle of Lander; sons Jess Hinkle and Cale Hinkle of Lander; daughter Sarah and husband, Charles Hutson of Cheyenne, and grandson Camden Hutson of Cheyenne.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at the Lander Community Center.
Mary Anna Potter - January 20, 2007
Mary Anna Potter, 102-year-old resident of Beehive Home in Powell, died Saturday, Jan. 20 at Powell Valley Hospital.
She was born Aug. 18, 1904, in Odessa, Russia, daughter of Casper and Margaret Haberlach. She moved to Canada at the age of 3 and attended school through the 10th grade.
She married Floyd L. Potter on July 6, 1927, and they lived in southern Saskatchewan and various places in Canada. A member of the Roman Catholic Church, she was a homemaker. She was fond of ballroom dancing.
Survivors include a daughter, Lois (Smokie) Richardson of Powell and step-daughters Rikki Richardson and Laurie (Don) Campbell of Brady, Mont.; a daughter-in-law, Beth Neff (Cal) of Caron, Saskatchewan, Canada; a stepson, Allan Richardson of Cody; a sister, Delia Loba of Visalia, Calif.; six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1966; her parents; a son; five sisters and two brothers; one grandson, one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter.
Funeral services will be scheduled at a later date. Burial will be in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Dolores A. Cruz - January 20, 2007
Funeral services will be conducted today (Thursday) at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church for Dolores Aurora Cruz, 45, who died in an automobile accident Saturday, Jan. 20.
She was born Dec. 21, 1961, the seventh of eight children born to John and Avelina Cruz. She attended Powell schools and graduated from Powell High School in 1982.
She lived in Powell all her life and through her places of employment made many friends. She was a former driver for Schwan’s. At her death, she worked in the meat department at Wal-Mart in Cody. She was always known to have a smile on her face.
Dolores loved to spend time with family and pets (five cats and a dog). She loved to play video games, watch movies, ride her bike and umpire softball in the summer. She was acknowledged for her performance as an umpire and was invited to umpire a softball tournament in Las Vegas, Nev.
Her family members will remember the many summer nights she tried to get the family together for barbecues. She was always the one to try to get her many nieces and nephews to play catch or throw a Frisbee, and if they didn’t show great talent, she was sure to give them a hard time about it. Dolores had a nickname for all and was the only one that could use it for that person. She was loved by her family and friends and will be missed.
Survivors include her parents; siblings, Juanita Diaz, Rose Cruz, Joe Cruz, Adam Cruz, Steve (Gwen) Cruz and Victor (Silvia) Cruz; sister-in-law, Betty Cruz; nieces and nephews, Joe Diaz, Shawntay McArthur, Sunny Siebert, Savannah Cruz, Sabastin Cruz, Heidi Cruz, Anthony Alaniz, Shelly Cruz, Samantha Haney, Jordan Cruz and Richard Cruz.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Tom Cruz; and her grandmother, Victoria Cruz.
Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery, with Father Pete Johnson officiating. Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Leora Asay Lewis - January 21, 2007
Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 25 at the LDS Church in Cowley for Leora Asay Lewis, 73, who died Sunday, Jan. 21 at her home in Cowley.
She was born to Leo Asay and Necoline Anderson Asay on Nov. 11, 1933, in Lovell, the youngest of six children. She grew up in the Lovell and Kane areas and graduated from Lovell High School.
She married Paul Robert Lewis of Cowley May 31, 1955, at the home of Dee and Jennie Lewis in Cowley. When they were first married, they lived in Lovell, then a short time after their first child was born, they moved to Cowley where she lived until her death. To this union were born two daughters, Coleen in September of 1956 and Julaine in July of 1960.
She was a member of the LDS Church and served faithfully in many different callings. She dedicated her life to service to her church and family.
Leora was an excellent seamstress, eager to make clothing for family and friends. In later years, she enjoyed painting ceramics, reading and supporting her family in their activities.
Even though Paul and Leora lived separately for many years, he was still her husband, and she loved him until her dying day.
Survivors include her daughters, Coleen and husband Glenn Scheeler and Juliane and husband Kim Askvig of Cowley; a brother, Rupert Asay and wife Lorna of Lovell; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Patricia Asay of Lovell, Shirley and Richard Busteed of Cowley, Mary and Waldo Jensen of Byron. She will be deeply missed by family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Robert, Lamar and Laurence; and a sister, Devona.
Burial was in the Cowley Cemetery.
Isobel Slaughterbeck - January 28, 2007
Funeral services for Isobel Slaughterbeck will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday, Feb.1) at Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home in Gillette. Burial will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2 at the Lovell Cemetery.
Isobel Caroline Slaughterbeck, 90, died of heart failure at the Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Gillette Sunday, Jan. 28.
She was born in Manville, Wyo., on June 27, 1916, the fifth of seven children born to William G. and Ina E. (Miller) Gentry. Because of hardships endured by the family during the Great Depression, she moved to her aunts home in Whiting, Iowa where she attended high school. Following school she returned to Manville/Lance Creek.
She married Charles Ray Slaughterbeck in 1936 at Lusk. Isobel was known to family and friends as Izzie, she was a devoted wife to Charles for 61 years, before his death in 1997. She was a nurturing mother to Jean and Don. Isobel was a devoted homemaker and she and Chuck lived in Fort Laramie, Rock River, McFadden, Byron, and Lovell.
After her husband’s retirement, they spent a number of winters in Scottsdale, Ariz., and would return to Lovell each spring. She moved to Gillette in 1999 to be near her daughter, Jean and family. Isobel was naturally optimistic in all her endeavors. She loved poetry and giving readings. Her hobbies included gardening, canning, card games, as wall as rock hounding throughout Wyoming.
She loved arts and crafts. Isobel was an accomplished artisan in knitting and crocheting. She traveled to Europe, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska. Isobel had been an active member of the Eastern Star Lodge for over 50 years, and she held numerous offices from the 1950’s through the 1970’s. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lovell.
She is survived by her daughter, Jean Geer of Gillette; son, Don Slaughterbeck of Woods Landing; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Duard Farmer - January 29, 2007
Duard James Farmer, 97, died Monday, Jan. 29 at Powell Valley Care Center.
Born on April 25, 1909, Duard was the seventh child of Eliza Robinson Farmer and John Blain Farmer. He was born in Byron and attended schools there.
Duard and Gretna Marie Smith were married Aug. 22, 1929, in Red Lodge, Mont. They farmed in Deaver for a time and then farmed northeast of Powell until 1946, at which time they bought a farm north of Powell. They sold their farm to the University of Wyoming in 1982, and after retirement, they moved to town.
He is survived by daughters Jeri (Harold) Underwood and Donna Kisor, both of Powell; nine grandchildren; Mike Dustin, Kelly Ward, Donna Sue Dustin, Renee Thomas, Rachelle Wright, Mark Farmer, Jay Maggard, Phil Maggard and Cindy Fulton, and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years; son Harold; three sisters and four brothers.
Funeral services will be held at the LDS Church on Avenue E in Powell on Friday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery under the direction of Thompson Funeral Home.
For those who wish, donations may be made to the Harold Farmer Memorial Scholarship at Northwest College, or the charity of choice.
Jerry Harrington - January 22, 2007
Gerald Inze (Jerry) Harrington, a native of Powell, died Jan. 22 in New Braunfels, Texas. He was 62.
He was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma on Dec. 14, 2006. His death on Jan. 22, 2007, was exactly 14 years to the day after his mother’s death.
He was born Aug. 10, 1944 in Powell to Inze Loss Harrington and Mildred Edith (Rowland) Harrington. He grew up loving and participating in all sports, especially baseball.
Jerry attended the University of Wyoming at Laramie where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He always talked about his fraternity brothers and kept in contact with several of them over the years. After graduation he worked for a brief time in the Job Corps in southern Colorado, then was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army During this time he married Rita Rene Bolinger.
Upon his return to the states, he entered the field of education, teaching and coaching in Arizona and California. He taught math and science, physical education and coached at the San Marcos (Calif.) Junior High School for 32 years. He also became a father to Shannon Leigh and Shelly Lynn. They were his pride and joy. No daddy loved his daughters more.
Other accomplishments include the organization of a 16-team baseball league in north San Diego County, a league which still exists today and involves 24 teams in East and West Divisions. He was a Student Activities Director for his school of over 1,600 students and was elected to an area position that conducted conventions for over 2,000 student leaders from Southern California. He also published yearbooks, developed fliers and promo pieces, and wrote a sports column for the San Marcos Outlook for years.
He continued in his love for sports and was an avid San Diego Padres and San Diego Chargers fan.
Jerry came to know the Lord Jesus as his Savior in 1978, and his life was changed forever. He had a desire to share his faith with everyone he met. He was able to help with organizing the prayer team for a national Promise Keepers meeting. He also became active in character training and abstinence education by presenting information to school boards, teachers and administrators across the nation.
He retired in 2003 and moved to Albuquerque, N.M. He worked as an usher at the Isotopes baseball stadium where he could pursue his love of baseball. While there, he met and married Patricia Lynn Meis on Sept. 2, 2005. They moved to New Braunfels, Texas, on Oct.6, 2006.
Survivors include his wife, Patty; his daughters, Shelly of Phoenix, Ariz., and Shannon of San Marcos, Calif.; stepdaughter, Lynnette Meis of Wesley Chapel, Fla., and stepson, Gordon Meis of Albuquerque; his brother, Robert and wife, Roni, of Houston, Texas, and his brother, Jason and wife, Margherita, of Arlington, Va., as well as numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.