Gerald "Jerry" LeMoyne Smith

Gerald “Jerry” LeMoyne Smith, Jr., 79, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at his home.  He was born on May 9, 1945, in Rock Island, Illinois, the son of Gerald, Sr. and Abbie (Dripps) Smith. Jerry was raised and educated in Manchester and was a 1963 graduate of Manchester High School.

Jerry earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Upper Iowa University. He taught for several years in Manchester before being drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War where he earned two Bronze Star Medals. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Manchester and taught at the junior high school. Jerry enjoyed coaching track, basketball, golf, football, and baseball at the high school. After several years, Jerry moved to Wyoming, Iowa, to teach and become the Midland High School head basketball coach. Jerry moved to Florida to help care for his father. While living in Florida, he worked as a general manager, and then later as a district manager, at Scotty’s Builders Supply. Jerry returned to Manchester several years ago.

Jerry was a loyal member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manchester. He faithfully prayed and read the Bible daily. He was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and UConn Women’s Basketball. Jerry loved his family and cherished spending time with them. This summer he especially enjoyed watching his great-nephews play baseball.

Survivors include his siblings, William “Bill” Smith of West Des Moines and Sue Mangold of Vinton; eight nieces and nephews, Billy (Catia) Smith, Joshua (Frances) Smith, Stefanie Smith, Brittany Smith, Courtney Smith, Jeff (Maggie) Mangold, Jason (Sarah) Mangold, and Jill (Nick) Beecher; 16 great-nieces and great-nephews, Jacqueline, Georgia, Abbie, Colton, Hugh, Reid, Theo, Javan, Anna, Nora, Brant, Wesley, Wyatt, William, Garrett, and Brayden ; and three special cousins, Sandy Darting, Vicki Lenker, and Jack (Deb) Brenner, all of Wilton.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, and brother-in-law, Duane Mangold.

The family requests that memorials be made to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manchester, or to the charity of your choice.

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