Jerry G. Minor Obituary
Jerry Minor, 95, of Des Moines passed away peacefully on May 8th at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, IA.
Jerry was born on February 9, 1927 in Des Moines, IA to Gilbert and Marguerite Minor. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie, brother-in-law, Mark Mulvihill, son, Dan Minor, and son-in-law, Joe McCoy. He is survived by his sister, Jeanine Mulvihill, his children, Linda Pendergraft, Tom Minor (Nancy), Diane Barnard (Keith), Mary Ann McCoy, and Carol Minor (Kevin Wykle); his granddaughters Lauren Riley (Shaun) and Ellie Tysklind (Braydon); his grandsons Jeremy Minor (Meredith), Logan Barnard, and Ryan Barnard; and finally his great granddaughters and great grandsons; Jocelyn Riley, Zach Riley, Liviana Riley, Millie Minor, Isaac Minor, and Crew Tysklind.
At age 17, Jerry enlisted and was a Lieutenant JG in the Navy. After returning, he attended the University of Wisconsin and got a degree in chemical engineering. He moved to Harvey, IL and worked at Sinclair Oil where he met the love of his life. When asked what his favorite memory was, he responded, “My first date with Jackie. I was already so in love with her.”
The two lovebirds married and moved to Des Moines. Jerry went to work with his father at the family business, M&M Sales Company. He took over as President of the company until his retirement in 1992.
Jerry and Jackie filled their home with six wonderful children. Jerry was his son’s Boy Scout Leader for many years. He loved to travel all over the world for Outward Bound trips, visiting his children and family reunions. He had countless hobbies and somehow excelled in all of them. He was a gardener with an exceptionally green thumb (he specialized in roses), avid photographer, fitness fanatic, camping enthusiast, lifelong learner, and Trivial Pursuit expert. He was also President of the local Toastmasters Organization. He spent hours walking in Greenwood Park with his kids and their dogs. He loved rooting for his beloved Cubs, Hawks, and Bears.
He was a devout Catholic and served as a Lector at St. Augustin’s Church. You could find him there every Sunday at 7:00 AM, prepping for mass and handing out communion.
Jerry was an exceptional husband, father, brother, grandpa, and friend. He had vast knowledge about any and every topic. He was kind beyond measure. He was calm, loving, and wise. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
There will be a visitation from 4:00-6:00 PM, Monday, May 16th at Iles Dunn’s Funeral Home. The funeral will be on Tuesday, May 17th at 10:00 AM at St. Augustin’s Church. Burial services will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.
Donations can be made to the family for a memorial bench at Greenwood Park or to St. Augustin’s Church.
ILES DUNN'S CHAPEL
Jerry was born on February 9, 1927 in Des Moines, IA to Gilbert and Marguerite Minor. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie, brother-in-law, Mark Mulvihill, son, Dan Minor, and son-in-law, Joe McCoy. He is survived by his sister, Jeanine Mulvihill, his children, Linda Pendergraft, Tom Minor (Nancy), Diane Barnard (Keith), Mary Ann McCoy, and Carol Minor (Kevin Wykle); his granddaughters Lauren Riley (Shaun) and Ellie Tysklind (Braydon); his grandsons Jeremy Minor (Meredith), Logan Barnard, and Ryan Barnard; and finally his great granddaughters and great grandsons; Jocelyn Riley, Zach Riley, Liviana Riley, Millie Minor, Isaac Minor, and Crew Tysklind.
At age 17, Jerry enlisted and was a Lieutenant JG in the Navy. After returning, he attended the University of Wisconsin and got a degree in chemical engineering. He moved to Harvey, IL and worked at Sinclair Oil where he met the love of his life. When asked what his favorite memory was, he responded, “My first date with Jackie. I was already so in love with her.”
The two lovebirds married and moved to Des Moines. Jerry went to work with his father at the family business, M&M Sales Company. He took over as President of the company until his retirement in 1992.
Jerry and Jackie filled their home with six wonderful children. Jerry was his son’s Boy Scout Leader for many years. He loved to travel all over the world for Outward Bound trips, visiting his children and family reunions. He had countless hobbies and somehow excelled in all of them. He was a gardener with an exceptionally green thumb (he specialized in roses), avid photographer, fitness fanatic, camping enthusiast, lifelong learner, and Trivial Pursuit expert. He was also President of the local Toastmasters Organization. He spent hours walking in Greenwood Park with his kids and their dogs. He loved rooting for his beloved Cubs, Hawks, and Bears.
He was a devout Catholic and served as a Lector at St. Augustin’s Church. You could find him there every Sunday at 7:00 AM, prepping for mass and handing out communion.
Jerry was an exceptional husband, father, brother, grandpa, and friend. He had vast knowledge about any and every topic. He was kind beyond measure. He was calm, loving, and wise. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
There will be a visitation from 4:00-6:00 PM, Monday, May 16th at Iles Dunn’s Funeral Home. The funeral will be on Tuesday, May 17th at 10:00 AM at St. Augustin’s Church. Burial services will follow at Resthaven Cemetery.
Donations can be made to the family for a memorial bench at Greenwood Park or to St. Augustin’s Church.
ILES DUNN'S CHAPEL
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Jerry G. Minor hosted by Iles Funeral Homes.
Events
Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Jerry G. Minor.