Scott Meier gave the Memorial for Jerry Jessen.
Gerald L. “Jerry” Jessen lived a rich and meaningful life defined by his deep commitment to God, country, community, profession, family and friends.
Jerry was born in Spencer, Iowa, in 1937. He was raised on farms in Iowa and Minnesota, an upbringing he credited with instilling a strong work ethic. He enjoyed school, particularly football, basketball, and track, and held several school records that his nephews later tried to break.
After graduating from high school, Jerry attended Mankato State University in Minnesota for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Jerry was a true patriot, serving as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles,” under General William Westmoreland.
For those who don’t know, General Westmoreland served with distinction in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The 101st Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles,” is a light infantry division of the United States Army that specializes in air assault operations. I think it is fair to say they were bad asses.
After two years of service, Jerry was honorably discharged and returned to his studies, earning an engineering degree from Kansas State University on a football scholarship.
Jerry began his professional career in 1962 as a civil engineer with the Bureau of Land Management in Casper, Wyoming. Soon after arriving, he met Kay Osborne, a Riverton native. They married at St. Stephen’s Mission in 1963.
After three years in Casper, Jerry was promoted, and he and Kay moved to Cheyenne. Kay worked as a speech pathologist before becoming a full-time Mom. At the time of his retirement in 1998, Jerry was the BLM Deputy State Director.
Jerry enjoyed a distinguished 36-year career managing and developing projects totaling more than $80 million in capital improvements on public lands in Wyoming. He was named Engineer of the Year in 1986 by the National Society of Professional Engineers and was later recognized as a Fellow of the Society. He was also honored as Engineer of the Year by the Wyoming Engineering Society.
Jerry volunteered his engineering expertise on several projects that left a lasting impact on Cheyenne. One of the more memorable projects was the Cheyenne Junior League Ball Park. Many community members donated time and money to this effort. The complex, which includes nine fields, is still used by hundreds of young athletes. Jerry continued to support the Cheyenne Junior League Baseball Association and served as its president for nine years.
Jerry served as president of the Board of Public Utilities for 12 years. During his tenure, the board oversaw the construction of the $35 million Sherard Water Treatment Plant, upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility and the development of critical pipelines.
Both Jerry and Kay were longtime volunteers for Cheyenne Frontier Days. In the mid-1970s, Jerry was encouraged by his good friend, Tom Powers, to volunteer at Cheyenne Frontier Days. Jerry served on the Tickets Committee for two years. In 1981, he was elected to the HEELS organization and in the fall of 1984, he was selected to serve on the General Committee as Security Chairman.
He served in that capacity from 1985 through 1987. Jerry later served as General Chairman for the 1989, 1990, and 1991 shows and served as Chairman of the Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Board of Directors in 1996. Jerry also served two three-year terms on the Old West Museum Board of Directors.
During his tenure as General Chairman, CFD assumed responsibility for the 4th of July fireworks, participated in hosting President George Bush during Wyoming’s Centennial celebration, completed several park improvement projects and initiated the planning and design of the East Side Stands. While planning capital improvements, he maintained the established pattern of sound financial management, enabling the loan for “B” Stand to be repaid two years early.
At the end of the 1991 show, Jerry served on the committee that converted CFD from a Chamber committee to the present independent corporate structure.
Something I learned from reading his obituary is that Jerry especially enjoyed recalling his role in President George H.W. Bush’s 1990 visit to Cheyenne for Wyoming’s Centennial celebration. Preparing for the visit required extensive coordination with the Secret Service and White House staff, including sealing manholes, securing emergency access routes, and identifying a “presidential” speaking location that could accommodate security personnel, including sharpshooters. Despite the meticulous planning and tight security, Parade Day brought an unforgettable moment: Timber Jack Joe, a beloved mountain man enactor, and his dog, Tuffy II, somehow rode in the President’s vehicle for the entire parade, waving to the crowd alongside the President while Tuffy curled at the President’s feet. After all that planning…
Many other organizations benefited from Jerry’s leadership, including the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, the Cheyenne Rotary Club, St. Mary’s Parish Council and the Wyoming Engineering Society. In recognition of his extraordinary service, Jerry received the Wyoming Tribune Eagle Community Spirit Award and was named the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year. Both Jerry and Kay were inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame.
When the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame, Chair Stephanie Teubner Propps fittingly asked Jerry to give the Chamber’s acceptance speech.
From a personal standpoint, Jerry noticed I often brought my sons to the Old West Museum. While attending law school, with money tight, I found that the Museum offered an affordable diversion from the daily routine and that the boys enjoyed the children’s section. In true Jerry Jessen fashion, Jerry “strongly” encouraged me to join the Museum’s Board of Directors. I often blame Jerry for sparking a passion in me to serve multiple terms on the board and for Amy and me to be constant supporters of the Museum. Jerry had that kind of effect on people. He was hard to say no to.
Jerry embraced life with enthusiasm. He loved a good party and had a wonderful sense of humor. An accomplished golfer, he recorded three holes-in-one at the Cheyenne Country Club. He was an avid reader, especially of historical novels.
Jerry will be remembered by Kay, his wife of 63 years; by Joe and Carrie Jessen of West Virginia; by Jennifer and Jim Nelson of Cheyenne; and by Brent Jessen of Alabama. He is also survived by his grandsons, Joe Jessen Jr. and Patrick Jessen of Virginia; his great-grandchildren, Lucy Jane, Leo and Rowan Jessen of Virginia; his bonus grandchildren, Amanda Carson, Erica Mullings and Adam Nelson; and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 4 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
A private family burial will be held at the Cheyenne National Cemetery.
Instead of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Jerry’s favorite local organizations, or to one of the donor’s choice:
Cheyenne Animal Shelter, 800 Southwest Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82007 (an anonymous donor will match donations)
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, Children’s Education Fund, PO Box 2720, Cheyenne, WY 82003
Kay and Jerry Jessen Family Scholarship, LCCC Foundation, 1400 E. College Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82007
