Jerry Lee South June 28, 1942 – July 3, 2010
Jerry Lee South, of Butte, Montana, beloved father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend, was taken to his heavenly home through an unfortunate accident while doing what he loved most, riding his Harley on the roads of Montana, on July 3, 2010.
Jerry was born on June 28, 1942 in Maloy, Iowa. Jerry, a twin, was the third child of Burnell and Doris South’s four boys. After graduating from Gilbert, Iowa high school in 1961, Jerry worked for Trowe Vending in Ames, Iowa for a few months and then moved to Denver, Colorado where he was employed by Interstate Vending. Jerry was drafted into the U.S. Army and from 1962 to 1965 he served his country in Germany. Upon returning home, Jerry married Sharon Anderson and they were blessed with three children, a daughter, Sheila, and two sons, Rick and Ty. They were the pride and joy of his life. He was a wonderful father who loved his children dearly. After the service he went back to work for Interstate Vending becoming the head manager in Fort Collins, Colorado. In 1977 he moved to Omaha, Nebraska to open a furniture store. In 1979 Jerry and his twin brother, Jack, rode their motorcycles to Montana and he fell in love with the area.
He moved his family to Billings, Montana in the summer of 1979 and then to the Bozeman area in 1982 where he started his own oil additive business. In the 1990s he tanned hides with his older brother, Larry. He spent his last years being semi-retired, traveling in his RV, selling motorcycles at Thunderbolt Harley-Davidson in Butte with his son, Rick, and helping his son, Ty, build a log home in Pipestone. Jerry was a generous man with a big heart and an outgoing personality. He had a fun sense of humor and loved to tease and joke around. He was a hard worker and always willing to lend a hand to others in their time of need. He loved riding his Harley with his friends and spending time with his family. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Burnell South, and brother, Bob South.
He is survived by his mother, Doris South of Mount Ayr, Iowa; previous wife and friend, Sharon South of Threeforks, Montana; daughter, Sheila (Mike) Stocker of Whitehall, Montana; sons, Rick (LaRae) South of Butte, Montana and Ty (Mikelann) South of Whitehall, Montana; grandsons, Colton Parker, Trevor and Trace South, Tucker Jackson and Tyken and Gunner South; granddaughters, Shelby South and Elizabeth South; brothers, Larry (Sherrie) South of Fort Collins, Colorado and twin brother, Jack (Sandy) South of Sun Valley Lake, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He will be deeply missed by all the loved ones he leaves behind. They love you, Jerry, and you will always be in their hearts. You have touched their lives forever. Memorials are to Montana Veterans Affairs Division, P.O. Box 1007, Fort Harrison, MT 59636.
Services were conducted at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Monday, July 12, 2010, with Rev. Edward Shields officiating. Musical selections were ‘Amazing Grace,’ ‘Life Is a Highway’ and ‘When I Get Where I am Going.’
Casket bearers were Rick South, Ty South, Colton Parker, Trevor South, Trace South, Tucker South, Jackson South, Tyken South and Gunner South.
Honorary pallbearers included Jack South and Larry South.
Military rites were by Redding Post 617 and V.F.W. Post 3123.
Jerry was laid at rest in the Redding Cemetery, Redding.
