August 22, 1950 – October 20, 2021
Jerry was born August 22, 1950 in Lewellen, NE to Donald and Lucille (Laing) Kennedy, one of seven children and lived with his family on a ranch near Arthur. He passed away on October 20, 202 in Gordon at his ranch.
In February 1970, Jerry married Patsy Gier in Ogallala, NE. To this union two children were born Joe and Jerry (JJ).
In December 1974 Jerry started as a brand inspector for the Nebraska Brand Committee. In the early 80’s he left the Brand Committee and married Susan Druery. They made their home on a ranch north of Chadron.
In the mid-90’s, Jerry returned to the Brand Committee, relocating to Mitchell, NE where he married Vickie Hanna Madden.
As a newly single man in the mid-2000’s Jerry moved to Gordon, NE, where he continued with the Nebraska Brand Committee until he retired in December 2018.
Jerry loved to play the guitar and sing and write country songs and cowboy poetry. He traveled around western Nebraska and Wyoming performing for many people and occasion. He enjoyed working on his ranch with his beloved horses and socializing with his numerous friends in Gordon and the surrounding area.
Jerry is survived by daughter, Jerri (Alan) Hamar of Canyon, TX; grandchildren Brandon Hamar of Warrensburg, MO, Cole Kennedy, U.S. Marine Corp., Jordyn Kennedy of North Platte, NE and Dalton Hamar of Canyon, TX; great granddaughter Alivia Kennedy of North Platte, NE; brother Kenny (Laurel) Kennedy of Ogallala, NE; sisters Phyllis (Ivan) Phillips of Whitman, NE, Nancy Glewwe of Hernando, MS and Kathy (Lionel) Williams of Buckner, MO; numerous nieces and nephews. Stepchildren Tawnya Miller of Big Piney, WY, Reece (Sherrie) Druery of Toluca, IL, Trisha (Terry) Williamson of Chadron, NE and Will (Mindie) Druery of Anselmo, NE; and 5 step-grandchildren. Stepchildren Josh DeMarcinco of Omaha, NE, Jeremy Madden of Gering, NE Lindsey (Cory) Hall of Lincoln, NE and Dan Maulsby of Omaha, NE.
Jerry was preceded in death by son, Joe Kennedy; parents Donald and Lucille Kennedy; brother Mickey Kennedy and sister Gloria Hutchison.
Jerry was born in Lewellen, NE and lived with his family on a ranch near Arthur. Jerry attended Arthur High School, where he currently still holds the school records for most points in a game, most points in a season and most rebounds in basketball. He graduated in 1968.
In December 1974, he started as a brand inspector for the Nebraska Brand Committee and continued as a brand inspector from the mid-90’s until his retirement while living in Gordon, NE in December 2018. The position of brand inspector is one of law enforcement, and Jerry was highly regarded as a fair and honest man of the highest character, a true representation of the traditional honorable cowboy of the Old West.
Jerry loved to play the guitar and sing and write country songs and cowboy poetry. HE traveled around western Nebraska and Wyoming performing for many people and special occasions. He was called on very often to sing at funerals, as he was so loved for the old classic country music that he sang. Jerry was very proud of the song that he wrote and recorded “My Sandhills Home,” which he wrote to tell the story of his fore bearers. Jerry was also very pleased that he had won the local Country Showdown in the early 90’s in Chadron, and was able to go on to Nashville for the final competition.
For nearly three decades from the early 90’s until 2020, Jerry served as the Master of Ceremonies each year for the Fur Trade Days Jamboree at Olde Main Street Inn in Chadron, which featured many of the old-time musicians from the Sandhills and western Nebraska. Also, during each of those years, Jerry sang and played guitar on New Year’s Eve in the Longbranch Saloon at Olde Main Street Inn, which was a great way for everyone to start their New Year!