Gerald “Jerry” Leonard was born on June 23rd, 1938 on a farm five miles East of Gering that belonged to his grandparents. He passed away on August 16th after a brief stay at Heritage Estates in Gering.
Jerry, his parents, and siblings lived in several Nebraska towns, including Melbeta, a dairy farm on the outskirts of Gering, Lyman, Hay Springs, then back to Gering.
During World War II, students got out of school for two weeks in the fall to help with harvest. Jerry and his siblings would shake potatoes from the vines, ahead of their mother, and she would pick the potatoes up.
Jerry played baseball from ages eight to 18. Since he was a tall, slim young man, he was naturally drawn to basketball. He played for Gering High School, then for Scottsbluff Junior College. His senior year of high school, the basketball team was runner-up in the state tournament.
On August 10th, 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia “Pat” Irene Tjardes. They made their home in Gering. The couple had five children – Jodi, Lori, twins Kevin and Kathi, and Ricky. Jerry and Pat were involved parents, always supporting their kids in their activities. Jerry coached the boys in GO baseball, while Pat coached the girls in softball. Jerry helped establish the Gering Girls’ Softball Association. As the girls got older, Jerry coached their softball teams. He coached his daughters’ team (the Beamers) in the Scottsbluff Women’s Softball league. In 1979, the Beamers placed second in the state tournament. He was always ready to play catch or basketball with his kids. Jerry loved his kids, his grandkids, and later, his great grandkids. He was a protector, a role model, and, if need be, a disciplinarian to them all.
Jerry worked at several local businesses, including Lockwood Corporation, West Nebraska Express, Altruk Freight Systems, Smith and Sons Trucking, R.G. Stanko Express, and R & C Welding and Fabrication. He retired from R & C in 2004. After retiring, he and his son Kevin, established Leonard Seamless Gutters, which he sold to Kevin in 2013.
He is survived by his five children and their families: Jodi and husband Lee Myers, Dodge City, KS, Travis and wife Valarie, Gabriel Murillo, Grayson, London, and Koehn Leonard; Lori and husband Brian McDermott, Gardner, KS, Josh and wife Meghan and Collin and Harper McDermott, Jerrad and wife Abbey and Dutton McDermott, Jensen McDermott and girlfriend Mia Vogeler; Kevin and wife Nikole Leonard of Gering, Brittney and husband Jacob Janisch, Chelsea and Bella Wilson, Kaden, Karsen, Kamden, Keegan, and Kerrigan Leonard; Kathi and husband Bob Petersen of Milford, Iowa, Tyler Petersen and fiancé Claire Damon; Rick and wife Amy of Peoria, Arizona, and Maya Leonard; brother Alan and wife Sharon Leonard, Georgia; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and special friend, Linda Kuhlman.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, parents Lyle and Ruby Leonard, sister Patty Sliger, brother Richard Leonard, and nephew Chuckie Sliger; in-laws Ernest and Gwendolyn Tjardes.
Viewing will be Wednesday, August 23rd from 5-7 pm at Gering Memorial Chapel. Service will be at St. Francis Episcopal Church on August 24th, 10 am. Burial will take place at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering. A Memorial has been established to the Gering Girls Softball Association, in care of Gering Memorial Chapel. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.geringchapel.com.
