Gerald W. Jefferies

Gerald W. Jefferies, 97, passed away at The Lodge assisted living facility in Fayette, Missouri, on Friday, September 4, 2026. Gerald previously resided in Sterling, Colorado, for over 60 years.

Gerald was born May 6, 1929, in Durango, Colorado, to Walter and Ethel Jefferies. He graduated from Durango High School prior to earning a two-year certificate from Ft. Lewis College while playing for the “Aggies” football team. Gerald then continued his education in Golden, Colorado, at the Colorado School of Mines, where he earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. While at Mines, Gerald lettered in both football and wrestling. Having completed ROTC training in college, Gerald served in Korea as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Gerald married Joanne H. Brown at Rockland Community Church, Mount Vernon Country Club, Colorado, in April of 1952. They remained married for over 60 years until Joanne’s death in 2015.

After being employed in the petroleum industry for several years, Gerald settled into teaching chemistry, engineering, and land surveying at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. He moved on from teaching to establish his own engineering and land surveying business serving much of eastern Colorado. He also held the elected post of County Surveyor in Logan County, Colorado, for many years.

Though he continued to work long past his wife’s approval, Gerald was also constantly busy with activities ranging from pinochle to water aerobics, to square dancing. He and Joanne were also Airstreamers who participated in numerous “caravans” and rallies with the Denver Unit of the Wally Bynum Caravan Club. Gerald was a longtime member of Faith United Methodist Church (now Faith Cornerstone Church), in Sterling.

A long-term member of the Lion’s Club, Gerald participated in club activities with each geographical stop of his career. He ultimately found his place in the noon meeting of the Sterling Lion’s Club, which he attended with nearly perfect attendance for decades.

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife Joanne and brother Ned Jefferies. He is survived by his sister-in-law Barbara Jefferies of Durango, CO; daughter Jeri Ann Johnson and husband Ron of Imperial, NE; sons Kenneth Jefferies and husband David Humes of Denver, CO, Daryl Jefferies and wife Karen of Fayette, MO; grandchildren Joe Jefferies of Columbia, MO, and Abbie Jefferies and fiancé McGwire Dean of Boonville, MO; Nathan Johnson, Ashley Exum and husband Eric, and Lindsey Brophy and husband Ben, all of Imperial, NE; and nine great-children (all Nebraskans).

Memorials may be made to the Faith Cornerstone Memorial Fund or to the Sterling Lions Club in care of Carr-Yager Funeral Home, P.O. Box 210, Fayette, MO 65248.

Condolences may be shared at www.carryager.com.

Carr-Yager Funeral Home is honored to serve the Jefferies family.