Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Jarrell F. Legg

Jarrell Legg Obituary

Jarrell (Jerry) F. Legg 9/07/1923 ~ 7/09/2007 Jarrell (Jerry) Franklin Legg, 83, born in Elk Ridge, West Virginia to John and Lillie Burgess Legg passed away July 9, 2007 after a long illness. Jerry lost his Father at nine months and his Mother at the age of seven; he was then raised by his Aunt Bessie and Uncle Virgil Shaffer. Jerry graduated from Eastbank High School June 1942 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps August, 14, 1942. While stationed in Salt Lake City Jerry met the love of his life, Betty Butler, when he was invited to Thanksgiving Dinner at the Butler residence, they were married December 12, 1945. On March 16, 1944 Jerry was a tail-gunner aboard a B-17 leading the 8th Air Force on a mission to Germany where they came under enemy fire and with heavy damage had to divert to Switzerland where they were interned for 11 months. He was employed at Eimco Corporation where he was active in the International Molders and Allied workers, local 231 as Secretary and Financial Officer until June of 1972. He went full time with the International Union as Vice President of the western United States July of 1973. He retired October 31st of 1987 and spent many years volunteering for the Democratic Party. He was an avid New York Yankees fan all his life. Jerry and Betty enjoyed traveling and spent their retirement traveling the United States and toured Europe. He was a member of the Swiss Internees and attended annual reunions including two trips to Switzerland. They traveled to Washington D.C. in 2004 to the Dedication of the World War II Memorial. Jerry was an excellent Husband and Father, always true to his word and never too busy to help anyone in need. He touched many lives and will be missed by all who knew him. Survived by wife-Betty of 61 1/2 years, Daughter-Lynda (Gaynard) Griffiths, Son-Kevin (Marsha) Legg, Grandchildren-Ra'al Willey, Jason Griffiths, and Travis Legg; all Salt Lake City. Sister-Helen Witherow, Ravenswood, West Virginia and Brother-Gene (Dixie) Smith, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Preceded in death by Granddaughter-Lindsay Irene Griffiths, Brother-DV Shaffer, and Sister-Doris Jones. Funeral Services will be held at Redwood Memorial Mortuary and Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road on Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. with a 12:30 viewing. Interment will follow services.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Jul. 12 to Jul. 13, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Jarrell Legg

12 Entries

Angi Bartholomew

December 12, 2007

I met Jarrell at Pioneer Valley Hospital where I work as a respiratory therapist and though I am glad Jarrell no longer has to suffer, he will be missed dearly.
Best wishes to his wife.

Kevin Legg

July 17, 2007

The Legg family would like to thank everyone for their words of comfort in this difficult time. His suffering is at an end now and he's free to move without pain. As a family we will miss him terribly, there will be an empty place in all we do. As his Son I will try to live his example and honor his memory in all I do.

God knew that you were suffering
That the hills were hard to climb,
So he gently closed your and whispered,
Peace be Thine.

It Broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone,
A part of us went with you,
The day god called you home.

Thanks for always being there.
Your Son Kevin

Hunter Davis

July 14, 2007

I will always remember Jarrel Legg as the measure of a true man. He was a soldier, a father, and a friend of mine. I was privleged to have stood in the presence of such a hero. I hope that some day I might be half the man he was.

Dana Davis

July 14, 2007

Adversity does not make heroes, only reveals them. To struggle against adversity first in childhood, then as a young man and yet emerge seeing what is good of this world and its humanity defines the character of Jerry Legg. The worth of a man is not how much he loves, but by how much he is loved, respected and admired by others - and in this, Jerry Legg was priceless. He will be recalled always by his friends along the Louisiana bayou and most especially by the once twelve year old boy, now grown to be a young man, that Jerry so graciously befriended. When Hunter takes to the skies, he takes Jerry and all the Swiss Internees with him and he is given to understand, more than most of his generation, the gift of freedom. Mr Jerry's smiling face is etched on our hearts. May you find peace and comfort in the days to come.
Fondly, Dana, Bob, and Hunter Davis

How you can show support

Notify Me

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

In San Antonio for Travis's Air Force Basic Training Commencement Ceremony

July 14, 2007

Mom and Dad

July 14, 2007

Jerry when he was in the Air Force

July 14, 2007

Deb White

July 13, 2007

Lynda, Our hearts go out to you during this time of sorrow. May you find some comfort in your memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Deb & Rick White

Phyllis Bueno

July 12, 2007

Dear Lynda
Gosh Lynda it has been so long since we have talked. I just happened to see your Fathers obituary in the paper this morning and couldn't help remembering all the times the three of us drove your Dad so crazy when we were younger. Bless his heart.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to lose a parent and my heart is with you and your family. Please get in touch with me when you can Lynda. It's been too long and I would love to hear from you.
My prayers are with you and your family during this sad time. Take care.

Mimi Brown

July 12, 2007

Jerry was kind enough to allow me to interview him for several years while I completed my thesis on airmen interned in Switzerland during WWII and my time spent with him was a joy. No question was too stupid and he always took the time to meet with me and answer all. I will miss him. My deepest sympathies to Betty.

Tammy Powers (Tincher)

July 12, 2007

Jerry, or "Jello" to some of us, was a truly remarkable man. He held a very special place in the heart of his sister (my mother), Doris Jones, as well as in mine. We looked forward each fall to his visits to West Virginia to his East Bank Reunions. I will truly miss those visits. My heart and prayers are with Betty and his children and grandchildren. We were all blessed to have had him in our lives.

Robert Long

July 12, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results