Jerald Ray "(Jerry)" Thompson

1947 - 2021

April 15, 1947 - September 08, 2021

Jerry, son of Louis and Katherine Thompson, was born and raised in Ely, Nevada. Jerry was an avid outdoorsman whose passion was trapping, hunting, fishing, and exploring at every opportunity from an early age. His adventures included shooting buzzards out of the sky that landed and went through the windshield of a judge's car and rolling rocks down a hill that went through the roof of a neighbor's house. He also went fishing for bats over a power line next to a street light at night and chased and scared his mother's friends with snakes that he and Danny, his lifelong friend, had caught. When he wasn't out adventuring and getting into mischief, he worked alongside his father, who managed the Safeway store.
During his senior year in high school, Jerry met his lifelong love, Kerry. They were married and began an incredible journey on September 24, 1966. Shortly after, Dad was drafted into the Vietnam War. While gone, his precious wife gave birth to their first child, Ken. After returning from war, he worked at Kennicott Copper Mine, and he and Mom had their second child, Tamberly. Dad was an excellent provider for his family and sometimes worked two jobs just to make ends meet. He was also a fierce protector, ensuring that nothing threatened the safety and security of his wife and kids. In fact, there are a few very interesting stories that involved Dad "taking care of business."
The family moved to Elko, Nevada, in 1978 after Jerry was laid off from the mine. He started a job with UPS, had an excellent reputation for getting the packages out to the people regardless of the weather or road conditions, and finally retired after thirty-plus years. He drove the northern route, starting at Mountain City Highway and delivering to all the places between the edge of town and the Idaho border. He made many dear friends on this route whom he maintained friendships with until his passing. In fact, in Owyhee, some knew him as "Heep Big Buck in a Little Brown Truck." The northern route was perfect for Dad, as he was born an avid outdoorsman and learned a lot about the backcountry along his route, including the terrain, plants, and animals. He would take his family out to explore the area on the weekends, stating that he thought it would be "cool country" to look at. Jerry just couldn't get enough of that Northern backcountry.
Needless to say, Jerry was a great husband, father, and friend. He went above and beyond to be there for those who were precious and dear to him. Words cannot possibly express how much his family and friends will miss him. We are comforted that he had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and looked forward to reuniting with Jesus and his beloved wife at the time of his passing.
Jerry was born to Louis and Kathrine Thompson in Ely, Nevada, on April 15, 1947, and passed away September 08, 2021, due to Covid complications, only two weeks after his beloved wife, Kerry. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Louis Leroy (Roy) Thompson, and his older sister Vanaye Niederhauser. Jerry leaves behind his son, Ken Thompson (Julie), his daughter Tamberly Jueschke (Warren), his granddaughter Ashley Barnes (Korry), grandchildren Elizabeth Thompson and Jacob, Sarah, and Samantha Jueschke; His great-grandchildren Liam, Grayson, and Ethan Barnes and Anastasia and Davina Glamuzina.

Services for our beloved parents will be held in the spring.