Jerry Roberts poured his heart into everything he did. This core truth makes it easier to understand that he died of a heart attack Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Jerry loved big and worked hard. And he simply wore out that heart.
Jerry was born in Perry, Iowa, July 29, 1943. He grew up on an acreage with his parents and younger brother and sister. Though the three siblings were very different from each other, they shared a love of family that was instilled by their beloved mother — Marge.
Jerry shared this value and his larger-than-life love with his wife and children every day of his life. Though Jerry is gone, that love will live on through them.
Early in his life, Jerry showed an inclination for broadcasting and communication. He became a ham radio operator at the age of 14. In 1961 at the age of 17, he helped sign on KDLS radio in Perry for its first day of broadcasting. Following that, Jerry had stints working for WSUI at the University of Iowa and KSIB in Creston.
He spent 17 years of his career working at KGRN Radio in Grinnell. This job afforded him the opportunity to travel with and broadcast Iowa Hawkeye football for 20 years, a very large point of pride. Jerry wrapped up his career back at KDLS with 18 years as the Jefferson station manager.
Broadcasting more than 4,500 youth athletic competitions, Jerry was honored with the Iowa High School Athletic Association Media Award in 1998. He had a classic, old-school radio voice that was calm and reassuring to all.
Jerry was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1964 to 1968 during the Vietnam War. He used his knowledge of radio communication to work in service to his country as an intercept operator and a news anchor on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. He was recently honored for his service with a trip to Washington D.C. through the Honor Flight program.
Giving back to the community was an integral part of how Jerry lived his life. He treasured his years coaching and judging for Odyssey of the Mind, serving his church in Grinnell and even directing community choirs and plays.
In 2019 Jerry was given the Greene County Impact Award for his contributions to a variety of organizations, including the Jefferson Elks Lodge, Greene County Historical Society, Greene County Board of Supervisors, Genesis Development and Jefferson Public Library.
The library was one of his favorite projects – reading to second graders, helping with special programs and serving on the board of trustees. In this spirit, the family is asking that memorial gifts be made to the Jefferson Public Library.
Adventurous and curious by nature, Jerry sought every opportunity to experience new things. From traveling the world to climbing radio towers to writing poetry to skydiving to running with the bulls in Spain, he rarely turned down a chance to try something new.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie and Gaylord Roberts; brother, Dennis Roberts; and sister, Marjean Gries.
Jerry is survived by the love of his life, Hollie Roberts; his children, Jessica (Joel) Lown, Jeremy (Alyssa) Roberts, Shelley (Ryan) VanDerMeide and Kelley McCane; grandchildren, Hayden VanDerMeide, Lila VanDerMeide, Maya McCane, Madelyn McCane, Magnolia Lown and Owen Lown; and many beloved cousins; nephews; and in-laws.
May his family and friends celebrate his memory by living as Jerry did — with a sense of adventure, a commitment to community service and a drive to pour their hearts into everything they do.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 at the Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. Visitation, with the family present to greet friends, will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the funeral home, with an Elks service to follow at 7 p.m. Burial with Military Honors will be at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, Iowa, at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10. The family requests anyone attending the visitation or funeral service to please wear a mask at all times.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Jefferson Public Library. Online condolences can be left at www.sliningerschroeder.com
