"My sympathy to the family on the death of a sweet man. Jerry was always so kind to me and my family. He made the trip, by himself, all the way from Iowa to Colorado when we celebrated my mothers, Sherene O'Quinn, suprise 60th birthday celebration. What a joy it was to see him there, when we didn't expect it. He had a such a sweet, quiet spirit about him that will never be forgotten. God's Blessings to you all."
In loving memory of
Roy E. "Jerry" Gilpin
February 27, 2009
Roy Edwin "Jerry" Gilpin, age 85, of Carson, Iowa, passed away at his home in Carson on February 27, 2009.
Roy Edwin Gilpin, one of five children of Elma Edna (Morris) and Roy Edwin Gilpin, was born on May 24, 1923 on the family farm located west of Carson, Iowa. Fondly known as " Jerry ", he grew up in the Carson area and attended Pleasant Valley country school and Carson High School, graduating in 1940. Following graduation, Jerry moved to Des Moines, Iowa and worked as a clerk for the State of Iowa.
Jerry enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941. He served during World War II as a hospital corpsman and was stationed at Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia. Following his discharge in 1945, he returned to the Carson area and worked at the Cudahy Packing Company in Omaha, Nebraska as a salesman, calling upon area grocery stores.
In 1950, Jerry and Zella May Heinricks of Bruning, Nebraska, were married at the United Methodist Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Jerry purchased Gilpin Food Store in Carson and in 1958, he established " Jerry's Market " in Treynor, Iowa. Jerry and Zella separated in 1972 and later divorced. Jerry sold both businesses in 1972 and moved to St. Paul, Nebraska where he purchased a ranch to raise livestock and grain. In 1988, he retired from ranching and returned to Carson.
Jerry and Iris Mabele (Davis) McKee were married in Carson on October 1, 1995. They made their home in Carson and Iris's adult children, Bob, Christine, Tom, Erik and LuCinda and their families became Jerry's family. Jerry was a member of the Treynor Post 725 of the American Legion and he and Iris were active members of the Carson Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed their time together and traveled to many points of interest. They had been married five years when Iris passed away on March 9, 2001. Jerry continued to live in their home in Carson and took great pride in caring for his lawn and flowers.
Jerry passed away at his home in Carson on February 27, 2009 at the age of 85 years, 9 months, and 3 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Iris Gilpin; brothers, Nicholas Gilpin, who died in infancy, Jack Gilpin and wife Beatrice, Robert Gilpin and his first wife Shirley; sister, Geraldine Randolph and her husband Eldon; and Iris's son, Erik McKee.
Jerry is survived by the children of his late wife Iris, Chris Klein and husband Larry of Pella, IA, Bob Lembke and wife Cathy and their family, Tom McKee and wife Carol and their family, all of Omaha, Joan McKee and her family of Earlham, IA, and Cindy Goos and husband Wayne and their family of Ankeny, Iowa; sister-in-law, Bonnie Gilpin of Wolbach, NE; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Omaha Home for Boys.