Gerald (Jerry) Henry Blue, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great papa, and brother began his eternal life with God on December 23, 2023. Jerry was 83 years old at his time of death.
Jerry was born on July 10, 1940, to Mildred (Daniels) and Elmer Blue in Donnan, Iowa. He lived in Donnan until he was in third grade and then moved to West Union, Iowa. Jerry attended and graduated from North High School in 1959. As early as elementary school age, Jerry began working and developing the skills needed to succeed as a business man.
His first opportunity came with delivering handbills/ newspaper shoppers house-to-house around West Union. When he was in seventh grade he started working at Schatz and Schatz Clothiers. He attended one year of college at Upper Iowa University studying business administration. During this time he began working for SuperValue as a grocer, and worked for them for two years. Jerry was then approached by Dick Westerfield to be head of the newspaper’s advertising sales. Jerry accepted and made it known to Dick that he wanted to buy into the Union. After four years, Jerry became a partner with part ownership in the Union. Jerry continued to gain additional stock throughout the years until he became the sole owner in 1982. He continued his newspaper career and was still working at the Union at the time of his death.
Jerry attended United Methodist Church in West Union, Iowa. One Sunday, he and his family were sitting two rows behind the Frey family and he leaned over to his mom and said, “Someday I’m going to marry that girl with the long curls.” That girl was Donna Lee Frey. So at the ages of seven and 10 a friendship that would later turn into 60 years of marriage began. Their lives were blessed with four amazing children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Jerry held many different titles throughout his life. The most important of these for him were husband, father, grandpa, great papa, son, and brother. Some of Jerry’s interest and accomplishments throughout his life included: Master Editor Award, Citizen of the Year Award, owner and publisher of the Fayette County Union, race car driver, promotor of Fayette County Raceway, Grant County Speedway, and Independence Motor Speedway; owner of Lilac Lanes Bowling Center, co-owner and promoter of West Union Aeronautic, and helped with running the Humphry Cafe and the Best Rest Inn and Suites. Through all of Jerry’s business adventures, Donna was working side-by-side with him. Their lives were fully entwined in all ways.
Growing up, Jerry’s kids, grandkids, and great grandkids have many amazing memories that have helped shape their lives. Some of the favorite memories shared by them include him always being there for whatever they needed, seeing him at their events and activities, and always calling them by their first and middle names together. It was important to him to be a role model and teach them about life. Always instilling in them how to be kind, generous and supportive of others, having a positive work ethic, following their dreams and knowing they can accomplish anything they put their mind to. When he knew one of them had an interest, he would support the development of that interest in any way he could. Jerry additionally supported developing some of the necessary skills in life, such as learning how to drive by sitting on grandpa’s lap and driving around the racetrack before they were old enough to drive.
Jerry enjoyed spending time with his family. Some of the favorite activities included playing hide and seek in the Union office on holidays, going to Monticello fair and playing in grandpa and grandma’s hotel room each year, motorcycle rides to feed the deer, building forts and tunnels under his big bed, playing Little Piggy’s and Jack Frost, driving through the Christmas light display each year, riding around on his back when they were little, and bowling.
While Jerry had a busy work schedule, he made time for the things that were most important to him and his family including answering the phone for a good morning call everyday before school from his granddaughter and grandson, giving rides to school with the occasional Hardee’s stop or other places we needed to go. He had a way of talking which assured them everything would be okay no matter what the situation. He was always there for them!
He is known for the kindness and generosity he always showed strangers. Everyone in town knew who he was and how great of a human being he was. Everyone had something kind to say about him and his efforts in the community. Jerry will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and his community.
Jerry is survived by his wife Donna (Frey) Blue; his children GeriLynn Blue, Shelly (Blue) Curry (Keith Curry), and Chris Blue (Bridget Blue); his grandchildren-Shyan Curry (great grandchildren Nevaeh and Kairo), Cale Curry, Jay Blue, Jayde Blue, Jackson Blue, Colton Blue, Elreich Abrahammson, his sisters Sharon Blue, Shirley (Russel) Lauer; and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry is preceded in death by his son Jeffrey Blue, grandsons Logan Blue and Marcus Curry; parents Mildred (Daniels) and Elmer Blue; brother Victor Blue; nephew Greg Lauer.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am with a visitation from 9:00 am to 10:45 am on Wednesday, January 3, 2023 at United Methodist Church in West Union, Iowa with Pastor Rusty Phillips as the officiant.
Inurnment will follow in the West Union Cemetery in West Union, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.