Jerry Louis Schell Died: March 26, 2018 in Nampa Idaho Jerry was surrounded by his loved ones as he departed on to his new journey after suffering from complications after surgery for a broken femur March 2, 2018. Born: March 12, 1941 in Vale, OR Jerry was the third child of seven born to Louie Schell and Fern Opal Combs Schell. His siblings in order: Barbara, Shirley, Rodney, Roy, Mike, and Debbie. Jerry was raised with his farming family in Canyon County. He fondly recalled growing up close to his cousin Jan and the nearby Boise River south of Middleton. He grew up on the seat of a tractor and by age 12 no one could plow a straighter row. He attended the Franklin School and later Middleton High School where he graduated in 1959. While there he met his first wife, Lennette Marie Cross. They married in 1961 and had two sons, James Owen and Bradley Louis. After briefly attending Boise Junior College, Jerry resolved to provide for his family and focused on work. He worked his in-laws' dairy, the Nampa Sugar factory, and hired on as a farmhand with Harold Blanksma. Farming stuck and Jerry took a promotion to foreman for Blanksma at Flying H farms south of Mountain Home. Jim and Brad vividly recall riding to work with him and being shocked at first hearing him speak Spanish to his field workers. Jerry treated his workers with respect and earned their trust through the example of his work ethic and fairness; many returned season after season to work for him. Jerry wasn't happy unless he was busy, so it was in Mountain Home that he first started doing custom trucking, harvesting, and fertilizer application for area farmers. After his divorce in 1973 Jerry aptly moved to Bliss, Idaho where he would meet the love of his life, Jeanne. Jeanne, divorced with three children, Billie Jean, Renee Lynn and Wendell Orr ( Steve). Jerry never hesitated to love them all as his own. Jerry and Jeanne married September 5,1979 in Elko, Nevada While in Bliss, Jerry began working as a foreman for Rio Vista farms; part of the Bell Rapids reclamation project. He later parlayed this into farming for himself in the Hagerman/Buhl area. By 1987 Jerry and Jeanie were back in the Boise Valley and focused on the trucking business. Over the next 3 decades Jerry patrolled the highways of Southern Idaho and Eastern Oregon, from Idaho Falls to Pendleton. He was proud of his well-deserved reputation as a hard-working, dependable, and unassuming trucker. He was equally proud of his million mile white Peterbuilt and his Kenworth with its custom "Jerry Schell" paint job. In 2016 Jerry retired at age 75 and sold off much of his equipment. He did hang onto a harvester or two and the Peterbuilt still stands sentinel. After all, in Jerry's words "you never know when you might need to go back to work." Jerry took pride in the word Integrity, Doing the right thing especially when nobody was looking. He was a man of his word, and honored a hand shake as a contract. His family meant the world to him, out of site, did not mean out of mind, with Jerry. His thoughts of family and friends carried him through his days. Jerry was a man that children and animals gravitated to. His honest quiet nature, which had nothing to do with lack of strength, was welcomed by all, especially his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They all thought he hung the moon and the stars. But what they didn't know was, He thought they did. He basked in the love and accomplishments of all of them. The meek shall inherit the Earth. Matthew 5:5 The saying implies that those who forgo worldly power "WILL" be rewarded in the kingdom of Heaven. The word "Meek" denotes "Strength brought under control" Jerry WAS Strength brought under control. Jerry was strong, caring and selfless. We , his family, bask in the knowledge of Jerry hearing these words. " Job well done", Welcome home to except your Inheritance"" Preceded in death by mother Fern, father Louie, sister Shirley, brothers Michael and Rodney. Survived by: Sisters, Barbara and Debbie, and brother Roy. His wife Jeanne, their children Son, Jim, fiance Debbie Leggett, Granddaughters Chrissy and Ericka, 4 Great grandchildren, Kai, Chriselda, Corryn and Colton. Daughter, Billie, Husband Rodney, Granddaughter, Camie, 2 Great grandchildren, Bo and Madoc.Grandson, Byron, 4 great grandchildren. Kaydence, Donovan, Faith and Cash Son, Brad, Wife Quinn, Granddaughter Gracyn, Grandson, Jackson Daughter, Renee, Husband Brian, 2 granddaughters, Ashley, and Kayla Great-granddaughter, Natalie, Grandson, Wade Son, Steve, Wife Dominique, 2 Grandsons, Trevor and Michael, Granddaughter Hailey.
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