Jerry Rector

J erry R ector, age 91, of North Platte, Nebraska, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family on September 27, 2021.

Jerry was born July 31, 1930, in North Platte to Ed and Jean Rector. He attended school in North Platte and was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1946 and was honorably discharged in 1949 after serving in England and the United States, including Alaska.

Jerry worked at Luedke Cleaners, Curt Uhl Packard, Firestone, Brown Williamson Tobacco and the Union Pacific Railroad. He worked 36 years for the railroad, starting as a switchman and working his way up to Yardmaster, Assistant Superintendent and eventually retiring as Superintendent after 17 years in that position. He ran a tight ship and many of his co-workers loved working for him. After retiring Jerry still worked delivering cars for Bob Spady and doing the courier route for Pathology Services until two years ago. He never wanted to slow down and was blessed with many great friendships through his various jobs.

Jerry married Barbara Jackson in 1950 and they had four children together. He later married Gail Dotson, his longtime companion and love of his life. From this union he gained two more daughters, Sheila and Dianna.

Jerry lived a full life and had many interests and hobbies including goose, duck and pheasant hunting, along with sprint car racing. He was a big Husker football fan and had season tickets for many years. Jerry loved country music, especially George Jones and Merle Haggard, and had four dogs in his lifetime that meant the world to him: King, Alex, Chloe and Bella. But what he loved the most was his family and spending time with Gail, her two daughters, and her four grandchildren, Krista, Tanner, Tayler and Trey. He was proud of them all and always willing to do whatever the grandkids wanted including getting McDonalds or Burger King and watching the same cartoons over and over.

Jerry also enjoyed sharing simple pleasures like rides in the country with the sunroof open, shooting marshmallow guns, endless Yahtzee games and drinking tree pop. He loved fixing cars, mowing the lawn with the boys and taking his family on trips. Jerry took many memorable trips including trips to Germany, Branson and countless Husker football games. He also liked teaching his family new things and sharing whatever little gadget he found that would make their lives easier. Jerry took great pride in his appearance, liked shoes and cologne and boy did he love hats!

Jerry owned a sprint car with Tom Simon and Bob Stanley and was very proud of it. He knew his cars and owned many different models over the years, never having less than five cars it seemed. Jerry learned to live and love life after retirement and taught his family to love the Huskers, homemade ice cream, good donuts and that milkshakes fix everything.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Gail; children, Jody (Duane) Fleck, Bruce Rector, Marcia (Scott) Davis and Robert (Adrienne) Rector; step-daughters; Sheila (Mark) Bigelow and Dianna Brouillette (Dustin Still), grandchildren, Krista (Tanner) Struckman, Tanner (Haley) Baker, Tayler (Danny) Rousseau and Trey Brouillette, Carrie (Eric) Lienemann, Lisa (Wayne) Bortner, April (John) Baade, Lori (Jason) Hansen, Katy (Bob) Denny, Eric Rector, Josh (Katie) Rector, Megan Rector, Emily (Steven) Perez and Jonathan Rector; many great-grandchildren and other family as well as nieces, Lynne Frederick and Leslie Johns, and nephew, Tom Rector; and his loyal companion Bella who was by his side to the end.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ed; granddaughter, Leslie Davis; and great-granddaughter, Abby Rector.

Private graveside services will be held at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with Military Honors. Celebration of Life will be Saturday, October 2, from 4-7 p.m. at 275 East Sagebrush Trail, just look for the red and white balloons and wear your Husker attire. Please come and celebrate Jerry's life, share stories and enjoy some of his favorite foods.

The memorial book may be signed online at odeanchapel.com or at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Paws-itive Partners.