1933
Jerry
2018
Jerry Niday
October 7, 1933 — September 8, 2018
Jerry John Niday, of North Platte, Nebraska, died at the North Platte Care Center on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at the age of 84.
Jerry was born in Fremont, Nebraska, to Roy and Lela Niday. His father died when he was young so Jerry and his mom eventually moved to California. He had worked as an electrician then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1950 and served four years. During his time in the service, Jerry earned the Korean Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and United Nations Service Medal. He was recommended for reenlistment but chose to go back into civilian life and was honorably discharged in August 1954.
Jerry married and had two daughters, Renee and Doreen. He struggled with alcohol addiction for many years, left his family and California, never wanting to go back. Jerry had a connection to Native Americans and married again to Frankie Johnston in a traditional Indian ceremony. They remained married until her death.
At some point in time Jerry found his way to North Platte where he lived a simple life for over 25 years. He was a member of AA on 4th Street and was known for not sitting at the main table but always being in a back seat. He became sober and tried to help others with their alcohol and drug addictions. After struggling for so much of his life, Jerry wanted others to break their addictive cycles and live clean lives.
During his time in North Platte he became friends with many of those on 4th Street, his neighbors, Becky and Randy, and the Brown family of Hershey who knew him as 'Chief'. Jerry was a good friend of the Browns who remember him making great chili and cookies and always being the first to send a Christmas card. He was known to burn the things he no longer had a use for and was a kind, caring, quiet man.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Lela; and brother, Jim.
Survivors include his many friends as well as his daughters, grandkids and great-grandkids.
Cremation was chosen and Jerry was buried in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, south of Maxwell, Nebraska.
Jerry was born in Fremont, Nebraska, to Roy and Lela Niday. His father died when he was young so Jerry and his mom eventually moved to California. He had worked as an electrician then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1950 and served four years. During his time in the service, Jerry earned the Korean Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and United Nations Service Medal. He was recommended for reenlistment but chose to go back into civilian life and was honorably discharged in August 1954.
Jerry married and had two daughters, Renee and Doreen. He struggled with alcohol addiction for many years, left his family and California, never wanting to go back. Jerry had a connection to Native Americans and married again to Frankie Johnston in a traditional Indian ceremony. They remained married until her death.
At some point in time Jerry found his way to North Platte where he lived a simple life for over 25 years. He was a member of AA on 4th Street and was known for not sitting at the main table but always being in a back seat. He became sober and tried to help others with their alcohol and drug addictions. After struggling for so much of his life, Jerry wanted others to break their addictive cycles and live clean lives.
During his time in North Platte he became friends with many of those on 4th Street, his neighbors, Becky and Randy, and the Brown family of Hershey who knew him as 'Chief'. Jerry was a good friend of the Browns who remember him making great chili and cookies and always being the first to send a Christmas card. He was known to burn the things he no longer had a use for and was a kind, caring, quiet man.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Lela; and brother, Jim.
Survivors include his many friends as well as his daughters, grandkids and great-grandkids.
Cremation was chosen and Jerry was buried in Fort McPherson National Cemetery, south of Maxwell, Nebraska.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerry Niday, please visit our flower store.
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