Jerrold "Jerry" Kerr

Hastings resident Jerrold C. “Jerry” Kerr, 91, passed away Saturday, November 27, 2021, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, NE.

Private family services will be held at Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home with burial at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation will be 1-7 p.m. Friday with family present 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Masks are required during the visitation. Memorials may be given to enCourage Advocacy Center (formerly SASA Crisis Center).

Jerrold C. “Jerry” Kerr was born in Phoenix, AZ on September 14, 1930, to Claren and Gladys Kerr.

When Jerry was 4 years old, the family moved to Creston, IA, where Claren went into the Chevrolet business with his friend Max Cochran.

In 1939, the Kerr family moved to Hastings, NE when Claren was awarded the Chevrolet franchise. When Claren passed away in 1958, Jerry, with his uncle Lyle, assumed ownership of Kerr Chevrolet. Upon Lyle’s passing, Jerry and Lyle’s son Jim Kerr assumed ownership. Kerr Chevrolet ceased operations in 2012.

Jerry, along with his partner Bud Pauley, formed two highly successful businesses in Hastings: Eagle Plastics and Kingswood Plaza Mobile Home Park. They also owned and operated Contempo Lincoln Mobile Home Park in Lincoln, NE. Jerry, along with several partners, was instrumental in forming MAKO, a Nebraska LLC, with a significant interest in an ethanol plant in southwest Nebraska. He also owned and operated Kerr Orchards, a large apple growing operation in Lexington, MO.

In addition to his many business enterprises, Jerry was very involved in the Hastings community. He was the youngest person ever appointed to the Board of Directors of City National (now Heritage) Bank. He was a Boy Scout Leader, a member of the Jaycees, Hastings Economic Development Corporation, the Hastings Airport Authority, and the Hastings Housing Authority. He was a founding member of the Hastings Community Foundation and the Hastings College Parents Association. He served on the Hastings Public Schools Board of Education (1972-1974) and the Hastings College Board of Trustees (1965-1983). Because of these two endeavors, he was able to present to his daughter Beth, both her high school and Hastings College diplomas; something that gave him great pride.

In 2001, Jerry was inducted into the Hastings College Pro Rege Society, the highest non-academic recognition that Hastings College bestows. In 2004, he received the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award. Jerry and Sara were lifelong members of First United Methodist Church.

Jerry married Sara (Dougherty) on April 30, 1954, when he was in the Air Force and stationed in Selma, AL. To this union, three children were born: Elizabeth (Beth), Jerrold (Jerr) Jr., and Claren Kerr.

Jerry’s passions were Husker football and spending time with his family.

Jerry was known by many and loved by all; he will be sorely missed.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and youngest son, Claren Kerr.

SURVIVORS:
Wife:
Sara Kerr--Hastings, NE
Daughter:
Beth (Dr. Alan) Robertson--Hastings, NE
Son:
Jerr (Jennifer) Kerr, Jr.--Lexington, MO
Grandchildren:
7
Great-Grandchildren:
8