Cloudy, 54° F
It is with great sadness that we have to bid farewell to our deeply loved Dad, Grandad and Friend.
Jerry D. Lanchbury went to meet his savior Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024.
Jerry was born to John and Lora Smith Lanchbury on Nov. 9, 1930 in Powell. Jerry spent the first years of his life at Eagles Nest Stage Stop, which his grandparents Thomas and Emma Lanchbury had established in the late 1800’s. At 5, Jerry moved to the family homestead on Cottonwood Creek north of Cody where he and his brother, Don, were raised. Jerry graduated from Cody High School in 1949 with classmates who still kept in touch to the day of his death.
Jerry spent his young years working on ranches, outfitting and rodeoing. Jerry married Barbara Rose in 1957, to this union five children were born. He worked for the Wyoming Highway Department for over 25 years. Always working hard for his family, he shoed horses on nights and weekends. After retiring from WYDOT, Jerry started shoeing horses (his favorite job) full-time. An unfortunate horse accident triggered his children to force him into full retirement at the young age of 85. In 2019, Jerry was inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame in which he was very humble stating, “There are a lot more deserving cowboys out there than I.”
Jerry was a man of God. He credited the Lord for his quality of life and many blessings he had received along the trail. Coming to the Lord changed his life. As a cherished friend recently said, “Jerry was never afraid to tell a guy about Jesus!” He was very involved in his church and his children’s youth groups through the years where he was dearly loved. He spent many years delivering what he called his “Cowboy Ministry,” holding services at the rodeo grounds, Long Term Care Center, Jail Ministry and performing funeral services for many. For several years he organized and rang bells for the Salvation Army. Jerry never met a stranger. He loved so many, and he loved them all deeply, sharing the word and showing them God’s love. Even in his final hours he was still saying “Praise the Lord” to all who visited.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Donald, wife Barbara and friend Helen.
He is survived by his children: son Forrest Lanchbury of Cottonwood, Arizona, daughters Kristi (Jamy) Balum of Boerne, Texas, Tobi Lanchbury, Samantha (Larry) Jones and Anna (Brian) Rodgers, all of Cody; his cherished grandchildren: Ben (Robin) McKeag, Naomi (Joe) Meiburger, Kelly (Jon) Saylor, Jacob, Hunter and Hannah Lanchbury, Tiffany and Savannah Keyes, Seth and Zecheriah Todd, Henry (Emily) Jones and Kourtnie (Matthew) Almanza; great-grandchildren: Isaac, Eden, Leala, Bryce, Marina, Jackson, Riley, Luca, Deacon and Adler.
Jerry is also survived by his nephew Paul Lanchbury, nieces Leslie Maslak and Donna Daugherty, great nieces and nephews and their families whom he cherished, and many beloved friends.
A service celebrating Jerry’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. Memories and condolences can be shared on Jerry’s memorial page at BallardFH.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation or volunteering your time to the Spirit Mountain Hospice House.
Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
PRAISE THE LORD!
