Jerry Hampton

Jerry Hampton

Cedar Rapids

Jerry Hampton, 101, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away Oct. 8, 2023, at Cottage Grove Place. He was surrounded by loving family during the time leading up to his passing. In lieu of a service, a celebration of life has been planned for the family in late October.

Jerry was born Oct. 18, 1921, on his family farm in Whittier, Iowa to Floyd and Luella Hampton. As a child, Jerry would attend services at the Quaker Meeting House and during the week attended the Quaker School until 10th grade. At the age of 14, Jerry was the school bus driver for Springville School District where he also graduated from Springville High School in 1939 where he was on the basketball team.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1941 with his brother, Eugene, serving in World War II. He served in the Tinian and Kwajalein Islands from 1943-1945 where he repaired B-24 bombers.

After the war he moved to Kansas City, Mo., to work for TWA. He married Geraldine Scheer on July 8, 1946, in Olathe, Kans. Jerry moved back to Iowa and in 1965 started his own business, Central Systems, Inc. with his brother-in-law, Richard Scheer. Jerry started in the den of his home, later expanding the business to encompass the tri-state area, where he remained in business for 28 years until his retirement.

In 1985 Jerry retired and spent time playing tennis, playing pool at Irish Democrat on Thursday nights and spending time with his three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

His wife Geraldine passed away in 1997. He then went to work for Enterprise car rental company. In 2001, he married Lavon Maas. They made their home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later Cottage Grove Place.

Jerry always made people feel valued. His Quaker heritage taught him the value of hard work, honesty, family, dedication, and the importance of faith. He loved chocolate, bigger dogs and cats. He was always excited to tell you a new joke from his extensive travels and had an infectious sense of humor.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Maurine, Eugene, Kay and Donna Mae; his first wife of over 50 years, Geraldine, and his second wife Lavon.

The surviving family members: grandchildren, Joel (Heather) Hampton, Maureen (Cody) Trim, and Andrew (Elizabeth) Larson; six great-grandchildren, Evan, Augie, Alfie, Mia, Graham, and Harper; other relatives, Richard and Donna Scheer of Fairfax, Iowa; and many special nephews and nieces of the Hampton and Scheer families.

The family will be forever grateful to the staff at Cottage Grove Place and St. Croix Hospice for their care.