Jerry Hynes

Jerry Hynes, 70, of Creston, joyfully entered into the arms of his Savior on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Greater Regional Health in Creston. Celebration of Life Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Crest Baptist Church 1211 North Poplar Street in Creston. Pastor Neal McRae and Charles Spindler will officiate.

The Service will be livestreamed at a link found under events at powersfh.com. Interment will be private. Open visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Powers Funeral Home in Creston, with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Karla for a fitting tribute. Online condolences may be made at www.powersfh.com.

Jerry Brian Hynes was born November 25, 1954, to Larry Hynes and Gracy Luppens (Hynes) in Redwood City, California. He graduated from Homestead High School in 1972.
Jerry was an adventurous soul. He loved hiking the mountains in California and earned many hiking awards as a boy scout; he was on the swim team and also loved diving and biking.
He had some of the most unique jobs, learning a bit from each one to use later on in life. He installed security systems, sold Electrolux vacuum cleaners, and even worked at a tomato factory – he lasted about a day. He also worked in construction for his dad and was so skilled at building, constructing, and repairing homes. He discovered his niche and became a contracted house painter. He was truly an artist in painting, a lot of his work can be seen in Creston.

Jerry joined the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) when he closed his painting business. He spent some time on the helicopters fighting fire but preferred staying on the ground. Here he learned to drink warm water, eat K-rations and could deploy a fire shelter blanket in less than 15 seconds. On his days off, he worked as an EMT. It was here he met the love of his life, Karla Hutchinson, a traveling nurse on assignment in Alturas, California.

A true love story, Jerry and Karla eloped at Lake Tahoe, Nevada on May 7, 1992. Moving to Mount Ayr, Iowa in 1994. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Grand View College in Des Moines in 1997 and was hired by the city of Creston as a full-time firefighter. He was thrilled to be promoted to lieutenant because of the honor and because it gave him the chance to learn to spell a really hard word. He loved his days at the fire station. He returned to school at DMACC to become certified as a nursing home administrator in 2002. Jerry served as the administrator for the Afton Care Center, among other nursing homes across the state. In recent years, Jerry has owned and managed a few properties in Creston but was getting ready to leave the rental business to completely retire.
Jerry had many passions. Most important – he loved the Lord. He shared the gospel all the time – sometimes with words, but more often, with his actions. He talked with everyone. He championed the downtrodden, he encouraged the meek. He always took time for the constant stream of kids on Myrtle Street. Next, he was completely in love with Karla, always finding some way to make her life safer and more secure. “I love you” was shared every night before going to bed.

Jerry always had a cherished dog or two and loved sneaking them treats and teaching them fun tricks. He could always spot a good dog. Jerry loved food, and would try anything once, but his entire diet could have consisted of Cheez Its, See’s Candy, and eyelash curling coffee.

Left to treasure his memory include his wife Karla Hynes of Creston; brother, Larry Hynes of Reno, Nevada; sisters, Debbie (Scott) Soderquist of Arroyo Grande, California, Diane Hynes of San Luis Obispo, California, Becky (Tim) Ming, of Arroyo Grande, California, Gracie Hynes (fiancé Kevin Manchette) of Newark, California, Celia Barnett of Reno, Nevada, Cheryl Murphy (Bear) of Sparks, Nevada; sisters-in-law, Kelli (Derrick) Bucy of Red Oak, Karen (Richard) Hanisch of West Des Moines, Tracee (Steve) Knapp of Redding; aunt, Annette (Tootsie) Demaree of Vernon, British Columbia, Canada; nieces and nephews: Loch Soderquist, Huey Soderquist, Eric Soderquist and their families; Chase Hynes; Diane’s children: Brandi, Nicole, Geoffrey, Quentin, Dillon, and Megan and their families; Becky’s children – Crystal, Lance, Erica, Elliot, Shelby, and
Madison and their families; Gracie’s Hynes daughter, Gracy Galvan; Tara, Cory, Abree Barnett and their families; Tanya Perez and Ken Compton; Adam, Joshua, James Hanisch and their families; Damon Bucy, Lindsay Blaine, Lacey Frank, Melanie Barcus and their families; Adam, Joshua, and James Hanisch and their families; Sandra, Lew, Reas, and Trace Knapp and their families; along with numerous cousins. Plus, his entire church family, a community of friends he loved and adored, his neighbors on Myrtle Street, and so many acquaintances he encountered. Also missing him dreadfully, faithful companions Avery and Bella. He was such a wonderful man.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his stepmoms, Pat Hynes and Joan Green.