Jerald Henry "Jerry" Heidrich

Jerald "Jerry" Henry Heidrich, 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on January 31st, 2025. Born on August 15, 1944, in Beaver, Oklahoma, Jerry spent his early childhood in Perryton, TX; Wichita, Hutchinson, Maple Hill, and Herington, KS; as well as Walsh, CO. In 1956, his family settled in Greensburg, Kansas, where Jerry spent the remainder of his school years. He graduated from Greensburg High School in 1962 as a National Merit Scholar, a First Team All-American football player, and an All-State band and choir member.
After being recruited by several major Division I universities to play football, Jerry accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, where he played football and was a member of the Air Force 'Flight of Sound' marching band. He later transferred to the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. He graduated in 1966 with a bachelor's degree, triple majoring in education, English, and physical education.
After college, he taught school in both Kansas City and Greensburg, KS. He also worked for Saga near Chicago, as well as doing landscaping and reclamation work. In 1979 Jerry moved to Colorado where he would fulfill his lifelong goals of having a family and starting his own business. He dedicated his life to providing for his children and worked relentlessly to ensure they had opportunities beyond what he had growing up. His love and devotion to his children can be seen in the work ethic and ambition he instilled in them. Jerry's commitment to family extended beyond just his children; he cherished staying connected with his extended family and rarely missed a reunion, wedding, anniversary, or any gathering where he could spend time with loved ones.
The same values that guided Jerry as a father also fueled his professional success. Having spent summers during his youth working on his family's cattle ranch, the "Cap O" Ranch in Beaver, Oklahoma, he developed a deep passion for working outdoors and a keen interest in agriculture-based businesses. In 1977, he founded "Colorado Tree Farm" (CTF), combining his love for the land with his entrepreneurial spirit. His children began working alongside him almost as soon as they could walk, allowing Jerry to merge his two greatest joys-his family and his business. Jerry and his children grew CTF into a very successful nursery on Colorado's Front Range. After stepping away from daily operations in 2003, he took great pride in knowing that three of his children continued to own and operate the company. In 2008, they formed a partnership that today is known as "Heidrich's Colorado Tree Farm Nursery."
In his personal life, Jerry had a lifelong passion for music, travel, and reading. If he wasn't at home with a book, repairing one of his tractors, or sighting in a new rifle, he was on the road visiting family or attending a concert.
Jerry was perhaps best described by his sister-in-law in a message she sent to his children upon his passing. She wrote, "It's hard to imagine a world without the larger-than-life presence that was Jerry. He was a force. A highly intelligent, well-read, incredibly successful family man who loved his children very much."
Jerry's memory will be cherished by his children: Levi Heidrich and wife Heather, Katie Graf and husband Richard, Matthew Heidrich and wife Megan, and Joel Heidrich and wife April. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: McKenzie Graf, Cooper Heidrich, Piper Heidrich, Hailey Graf, Penelope Graf, Isaiah Heidrich, Zoey Graf, Zachary Heidrich, Jack Heidrich, and Liliana Heidrich, as well as his brothers Donald, Robert, and Kenneth Heidrich.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Evelyn Heidrich, and his brother Stephen Heidrich.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Symphony in the Flint Hills, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting classical music as well as the preservation of the tallgrass prairie and farmland; both causes that were dear to Jerry. To donate, please visit: symphonyintheflinthills.org/giving
Please join family and friends to celebrate Jerry's life on Friday February 21st, 2025, from 1pm-3pm at the Black Forest Community Club, 12530 Black Forest Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80908. Eulogies and readings will be read from 1:10pm-1:30pm, with visitation from 1:30pm-3pm. Attire is non-formal.