Jerry Kay Matson, 78, of Middleton, Idaho passed away peacefully from this earth on September 3, 2018 in a Boise hospital after suffering a stroke. Jerry was born to Lorenzo Edward and Edith Pearl Morgan Matson in Idaho Falls, Idaho on November 14, 1939. He was the fifth of six children in the family and the only boy, growing up among extended family in LaBelle, Idaho on a farm that was homesteaded by his maternal grandparents. Learning to work came easy for Jerry. He learned just about every task on the family farm while still a boy, working with a team of horses by age 7 mowing hay, and driving truck in a potato harvest at age 9. Like many youths he milked cows and cared for livestock, tended the chickens, and helped his mother in their large garden. By age 10 he had learned to drive the family car, which was a good thing. On a trip to Driggs with a 4-H club his father got sick and couldn't drive. But young Jerry was trusted to drive his sick father and his friends over 40 miles toward home. At about age 12 he taught his sister (10 years older) how to drive. Jerry attended elementary and high school in Rigby, Idaho, graduating in 1958. He was a good student, especially enjoying chorus, physical education, and agriculture. There was also one girl he kept an eye on throughout his teen years - Barbara Jeanette Rawlins. Their families were friends and both members of the close-knit LaBelle Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jerry and Barbara attended many dances together, church meetings and activities, and went to the movies nearly every week. Jerry loved playing basketball and was on the school team from 7th grade up, while Barbara was in the pep club, cheering him on. Jerry also showed cattle in fairs from the age of 11 and competed on FFA judging teams. He was the FFA chapter president and a state FFA officer. After graduating high school Jerry went right to work for farmers in the LaBelle area, purchasing a few dairy cows of his own. He saved enough money for a wedding ring and to rent a home to start a family with Barbara. In February 1959 he proposed, and the two were married for time and all eternity on July 1, 1959 in the Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jerry and Barbara brought seven children into their family, followed by sons and daughters-in-law, 31 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Within a few years of marriage Jerry and Barbara had four children and rented a potato farm in Moody, near Sugar City, Idaho. In 1968 the family moved to Howe, Idaho for a few months, then to Sugar City and to La Belle, where Jerry excelled at a new trade - sales. Jerry's outgoing nature, confidence and integrity made him a natural salesman. He knew agriculture well and became a top seller of farm equipment and other machinery, eventually becoming part owner of Valley Equipment in Blackfoot, Idaho in 1974. Living in the country Jerry took the opportunity to enjoy horseback riding and rodeo, and teaching his children all he could about good horsemanship. Jerry had participated in calf roping and team roping at rodeos. At one event Jerry was asked to announce the events of the day - he did such a good job he was asked to do it again. Rodeo announcing became a hobby and part-time job overnight. Many Friday nights and Saturdays were spent with the family at rodeos throughout eastern Idaho in the 1970s. In 1978 the Eastern Idaho Rodeo Association recognized Jerry and Barbara with the Family of the Year award. Jerry's Heavenly Father also had great work for him to accomplish with his talents. He was often called upon to work in leadership positions and with youth groups in his Church, including a time as Scoutmaster when his son Rob was of scouting age. He served as Bishop of the Blackfoot 10th Ward from 1979 to 1984, touching the lives of many. He was continually encouraging his fellow saints to sacrifice for the Lord and to serve one another. In the 1980s Jerry re-focused his agricultural sales on metal buildings for potato storage. He purchased Q-Span Builders, Inc. before forming a larger partnership in 2 Rivers Construction. The business flourished and expanded to other types of buildings, mainly metal agricultural structures, particularly potato and onion storage. Clientele far and wide drew on his expertise - he sold and designed buildings as far away as Louisiana, as well as 2 projects in Poland and 1 in Turkey. With overseas work there came opportunities for overseas travel. Jerry and Barbara visited Poland, Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia together, toured biblical sites in Turkey, and vacationed in Brazil. As work took Jerry to the Columbia Basin more frequently, he and Barbara moved to Pasco, Washington in 1998. There they built a wonderful home for hosting family gatherings and included a suite for Barbara's mother, Jennie. Jerry formed a new company, Storage Systems Northwest, which he sold in 2009 upon his retirement. While living in Pasco, Jerry and Barbara were delighted to witness the construction of the nearby Columbia River Temple and to serve weekly there after its dedication. Jerry also served on the Pasco Stake High Council, and spent many days personally laboring to build up the church camp Teancum Timbers near Dayton, Washington. in 2009 they moved to Meridian, Idaho to be near their children, later taking up residence in Middleton, Idaho. In retirement Jerry learned how to use technology to his advantage to pursue more family history research, and he loved to spend time with Barbara at the Boise and Meridian temples. For many years Jerry and Barbara planned to serve the Lord Jesus Christ as full-time missionaries after retiring. So, in late 2009 they began an 18-month adventure serving in the LDS Employment Center in Slidell, Louisiana. They assisted many local people in improving their employment skills and worked with church leaders throughout the region to assist additional people in need. They witnessed many miracles in Louisiana and had a great impact on countless people, making many friends. Jerry said that his father, Lorenzo, influenced him more than any other person. He said his dad was always wise, humble, loving and worked hard for them. Jerry tried to do the same, and definitely was a gentle giant to all of his grandchildren. He wrote this advice in a booklet for them: * Be good * Pray every day * Obey your parents Jerry is survived by his wife of over 59 years, Barbara Jeanette Rawlins Matson of Middleton; and six children: Meri Kay (Randy) Woodworth of Boise, Kendall (Kristi) Matson of Bothell, WA, Don (Clara) Matson of Boise, Jeny Lyn (Tom) Thornton of Williston, ND, Rob Matson of Meridian, and Becky (Jeff) Muir of Burley. Jerry is also survived by a sister, Judy (Bruce) Godfrey of Hyde Park, UT; 28 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenzo and Edith Matson; sisters: Phyllis (Von) Peterson, Clara Davenport, Lois (Golden) Peterson, and Evelyn Tronier; a daughter, Ellen; and three grandchildren.
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