Jerome M. "Jerry" Kohn

Jerome M. "Jerry" Kohn passed away on March 28, 2007, at the age of 91. His many friends and family members will miss him deeply.
Jerry was born Nov. 8, 1915, in Far Rockaway, N.Y. He soon moved with his mother back to Billings, where his parents had lived for several years before Jerry's birth, and he remained a resident of Billings for the next 90 years, until his death.
Jerry attended McKinley grade school and Billings High School through his sophomore year. For his junior and senior years, his parents enrolled him in the Randolph Macon military academy in Front Royal, Va., where he graduated as valedictorian in 1932. He then went on to attend the University of Virginia, where he graduated with honors in 1936, and the University of Montana School of Law, where he graduated in 1938.
After law school, Jerry practiced law in Billings and also helped his mother operate the family's wholesale candy and tobacco business. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy and attended midshipman's school at Columbia University in New York City, where he graduated in 1943 with an ensign's commission. During the war, he served on the staff of Admiral M.L. Deyo, seeing action in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
In 1941, Jerry married Elizabeth "Betty" Sanders of Wilsall. Like many Navy wives during the war years, Betty moved to the East Coast while Jerry was serving in the Atlantic, then to the West Coast while he served in the Pacific. After the war, they settled back in Billings to raise a family and enjoy their lives together. Their happy marriage ultimately spanned nearly 60 years, until Betty's death in 2000.
In the early 1950s, Jerry joined American National Insurance Company, the start of a long and rewarding career in the life insurance business. He soon earned the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and became active in the National Association of Life Underwriters. In 1968, he was elected to the prestigious office of Trustee of the National Association, then re-elected in 1970 for another two-year term. He was also active in the Montana Life Underwriter's Association and ably served that organization in many capacities throughout his professional life.
Jerry was a lifetime member of the Billings Optimist Club, serving as its president from 1953-54 and contributing countless hours and much inspiration to its many projects and causes over the years. In 1961, Jerry was elected to serve as governor of District 13 of Optimist International, a two-year position that entailed visiting and counseling each Optimist Club within the District, a territory encompassing all of Montana and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. He was also an active member and supporter of the Elks Club.
Jerry belonged to Congregation Beth Aaron, helping to establish the congregation's first synagogue in 1940 and later serving as president of the congregation. As a youngster, Jerry missed the opportunity to have a Bar Mitzvah, the traditional Jewish coming-of-age ceremony for 13-year-olds. He remedied that in 1998, when he and several other adult members of the congregation, after months of Hebrew lessons and other studies, were Bar Mitzvahed together in a ceremony both solemn and joyous. He was 83 years old at the time.
Jerry was appointed by Governor Ted Schwinden to the State Board of Medical Examiners and also spent many years representing the insurance industry on the hospital rate review board. Jerry was a valued counselor and trusted friend to many. He will be remembered for his wonderful way with a story, his unfailing good humor and his unselfish dedication to his family, his profession and his community.
Jerry loved gadgets (especially clocks), good jokes and going places. He and Betty traveled extensively, both for pleasure and in connection with Jerry's insurance and Optimist activities. After Betty's death, he continued to take frequent road trips to business meetings and to visit friends and relatives. In 2001, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of traveling all the way around the United States by train. He was a proud member of MENSA, an enthusiastic and caring "big brother" for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program in Billings, a dedicated H.O.S.T.S. volunteer, helping Billings elementary students with reading and math for over 10 years, a lifelong Yankees fan, and an unwavering supporter of the Democratic party.
Jerry is survived by his sister, Claire Buman of Los Angeles; his two daughters, Leslie Clemens of Billings and Sandra Kohn of Portland, Ore.; his son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Judy Kohn of Billings; his four grandchildren, Tracey Clemens of San Diego, Melanie (Jason) Partridge of Billings, Jeff Kohn of Missoula and Andy Kohn of Billings; and his great-grandson, Caleb Partridge of Billings.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to the caring and devoted staff of Grand Park Vintage Suites, especially those in the Expressions unit, for their kindness and attentiveness to Jerry during his last years.
A memorial service will be held in celebration of Jerry's life at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 2, at Dahl Funeral Chapel, 10 Yellowstone Ave., Billings.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jerry's name either to Congregation Beth Aaron, 2031 Broadwater Ave., Billings, MT 59102; or to Big Sky Hospice, PO Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107.