Jerry Don Lemar was born on March 25, 1937 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and departed this life on July 30, 2020, at the Bloomfield Living Center, at the age of 83.
Born to Harold and Dorothy Lemar, Jerry had three siblings: Harold Dean (deceased), Sue Mayo (Jim) of Bloomfield, Missouri, and Kay Dobbins (Jerry) of Santa Clarita, California. Jerry spent his formative years in Marble Hill and Lutesville until his family moved to Bloomfield, Missouri.
Following his high school graduation from Bloomfield in 1955, Jerry enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. Jerry served as a Chief Petty Officer (E-7) Damage Control (DC) rating and a recruiter during his twenty years of active duty from March 1956 to April 1976. During his armed forces career, Jerry received many honors and awards, but was most proud of his efforts to set up two recruiting offices in Bakersfield and Anaheim, California, and a Career Counseling Program for the Second Coast Guard district Office in St. Louis, Missouri.
Utilizing his military experience, Jerry served as a Plant Engineer and Maintenance Manager for numerous hospitals such as Humana Hospitals in New Orleans, Louisiana, Chicago, Illinois, and Morristown, Tennessee, as well as the Missouri Veterans Home in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, Jerry briefly owned and operated Lemar’s Full Service Station in Bloomfield, Missouri.
In February 1958, Jerry was united in marriage to Mary Margaret Davis in Broward, Florida. Three children were born of this union, Cynthia Kay Lemar, deceased, Rick Lemar (Donna) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Deb Gant (Pat) of Festus, Missouri. In addition to his children, Jerry is survived by numerous grand and great-grandchildren.
Jerry’s second marriage was to Virginia Settles O’Daniell on September 23, 1978 in Bloomfield, Missouri. Virginia remained the light of his life until his death. Through this marriage, Jerry gained five step-children: June Lawrence (Bud) of Dexter, Missouri, Sherry O’Daniell-Moore (Rob) of Wilmington, N.C., Kelly Flowers of Dexter, Missouri, Butch O’Daniell (Linda) of Bloomfield, Missouri, and Kristina Twaddell (Clint) of Bloomfield, Missouri. Jerry is survived by his wife, Virginia, his five step-children, and numerous grand and great-grandchildren.
Jerry was an extremely patriotic man. He collected Coast Guard boats and lighthouses, enjoyed westerns and loved dogs. In addition, he was a member of the Bloomfield Masonic Lodge #153, Dexter Masonic Lodge #532, and the Dexter Elk Lodge #2439.
In honor of Jerry Don Lemar, a brief visitation from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., followed by a service at 2:00 p.m., will be conducted on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. An internment at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be pledged to the Stars and Stripes Museum, PO Box 1861, Bloomfield, MO 63825.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
