Jerry D. Ginn

Jerry Ginn, loving dad, grandfather, uncle, and friend to so many, peacefully passed away on February 12, 2021, at Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, NE.

Jerry was born in Fairbury, NE on February 7, 1955, the son of Ralph and Bernadine (Gould) Ginn. He attended elementary school in Eloy, AZ; Fairbury; and Reynolds. He graduated from North Central High School in 1973. Like his dad Ralph, Jerry opened his own business in Reynolds.  Originally Reynolds Body Shop, Jerry added welding and ag repair, and later it become Reynolds Repair. He proudly served the farmers of the area for 48 years.

Jerry met Sharon Dowell in the spring of 1974, and they were married June 6, 1976. They made their home in Reynolds where they celebrated many happy years together. For their fortieth anniversary, they went on a bucket list cruise to Alaska. They took two flying tours: one around the peaks of Denali, and the other a seaplane glacier excursion. He sat co-pilot on the sea plane and likely talked the pilot’s ear off.

Jerry and Sharon had two daughters. Kelli was born in 1978, and Cheryl was born in 1980.

Jerry, with long-time friend Randy Prellwitz, AKA Uncle Elmo, took flying lessons, and they earned their pilot's licenses in 1978. Jerry hung up his wings while Kelli and Cheryl were young. He did go up occasionally with friends, and on one occasion, he skydived out of a perfectly good plane... and then spent several weeks sitting on an inflatable cushion after breaking his tailbone! Jerry took up flying again when daughter Kelli moved to Colorado. He and Sharon flew into Fort Collins several times to see Kelli, her husband Steven, and grandson Gabe.

In addition to Reynolds Body Shop, Jerry and Sharon also owned the tavern in downtown Reynolds in the early 1980s. They named it The Hanger.  Many quarters were pumped into the juke box; Kelli and Cheryl almost wore out Freeze Frame and Elvira. Kelli also learned to spell many curse words at the bar. Jerry and Sharon owned the tavern until 1984.

While at The Hanger, Jerry got into tractor pulling. He started on the antique pulling circuit. He and his Massey Ferguson, with his outside-the-box engineering, dominated the league. He moved up to the Nebraska Busch Pullers Association and built his own modified class tractor. He named her 44 Magnum because of the 44 Massey rear end and 440 Chrysler engine. Jerry, Sharon, and the girls traveled to countless county fairs across Nebraska during those years, and Jerry won the points championship in the 1987 season. He truly loved tractor pulling but gave it up when Kelli and Cheryl became older and started playing sports.

Jerry sold 44 Magnum and bought a camper and a boat. He was determined to learn to water ski so he could teach his girls. Sharon didn’t like driving the boat, but she did it anyway. Jerry hated shorts, so he skied in his blue jeans! He did learn to ski and was able to teach Kelli and Cheryl.  As the girls grew older, the boat and camper were sold, and another chapter of life was opened.

Jerry took up golf. First at the Haddam golf course with his dad Ralph, who had never done anything athletic in his entire life. They dreamed up the idea to build a sand green golf course at the Buckley Creek water shed. They approached the Little Blue NRD, pitched the idea, and got approval.  After many man hours, and poison ivy for Sharon and Cheryl, they teed off for the first time. Jerry and Ralph managed the Buckley Creek Recreation Association for many years thereafter.

Jerry also took up gunsmithing during this time. He blued many barrels and refinished numerous stalks. He got his federal firearms license and concealed carry permit. Jerry and Sharon attended many gun shows throughout the Midwest.

Jerry also became an avid NASCAR fan. He followed the sport and rooted for the Fords, of course. Jerry and Sharon got season tickets to the Kansas Speedway, and attending became an annual pilgrimage for them both.

More recently, Jerry finished a vacant term on the Reynolds town board and was elected to another term in 2018. He also volunteered for the Rose Creek Cemetery board. Jerry spent many hours maintaining the streets, cemetery, and sewer system.

This obituary would not be complete without talking about the dogs in Jerry’s life. First came Jake, a puppy found in a grater ditch who chased Jerry’s truck around Reynolds for over a decade. Then there was Moe, a yellow lab from a litter from Kenny Messing’s famous counting chocolate lab Smooch. After Moe passed in 2008, Jerry and Sharon made sure to spoil each of their grand-dogs.

Jerry lived a full life and was known by many names: Ginn Dog, Jerome, Dr. Ginn, and Uncle Jerry, the last of which seems benign but was a running joke with his niece Kim. However, Jerry's favorite name was Papa, and his grandchildren Gabe, Ellie, Lucy, and Brooks were his greatest joys.

Jerry will be missed by so many for his giving spirit, work ethic, and family devotion.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Bernadine and infant sister Donna. Survived by wife Sharon. Daughter Kelli (Steven) Patterson of Fort Collins, CO. Daughter Cheryl (Scott) Campau of Omaha. Grandchildren Gabe Patterson and Ellie, Lucy, and Brooks Campau. Sister Doris Ginn of Reynolds. Sister DiAnn (Tyrone) Jurgena of Fairbury. Brother Garry (Shelly) Ginn of Belleville. Many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Family & Friends Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 19, 5 – 7 P.M. at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. Memorial service Saturday, Feb. 20, 10 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church of Fairbury with overflow seating at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home next door. C.D.C. guidelines followed – masks and social distancing, please. Memorials will be at the family’s choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.co