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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Jerry Lee Whitson
JERRY LEE WHITSON
Cedar Rapids
Jerry Lee Whitson, 77, of Melrose, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2016, at his home near the lake by Melrose.
Jerry was born Nov. 17, 1938, in Avery, Iowa, to Cecil and Alberta (Sebben) Whitson. He attended and graduated from Albia High School, Class of 1957. He was united in marriage to Virginia Dubeck. To this union came six children, Mike, Jerry, Scott, Jeff, Beth and Danny.
Jerry served his country in the U.S. Navy. He worked as a camera/scanner operator at Stamats and Cedar Graphics for more than 35 years before retiring. He was a member of the American Legion and Disabled Veterans. Jerry enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, hunting, gardening and coaching youth sports. He was a very talented woodworker, often building grandfather clocks, birdhouses and shadowboxes. Jerry was very generous to charity groups and enjoyed helping others. His real joy in life was spending time with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by his six children, Mike (Margaret) Whitson of Cedar Rapids, Jerry Jr. (Laura) Whitson of Marion, Scott (Staci) Whitson of Central City, Jeff (Elly) Whitson of Martelle, Beth (Doug) Henderson of Coggon and Danny (Jade) Whitson of Central City; mother of the children, Virginia Whitson; 14 grandchildren, Tony, Steve, Nick, Brandon, Ryan, Jacklyn, Katherine, Isabelle, Emma, Leah, Phoebe, Brooklyn, Colton and Emerson; three brothers, Larry (Phyllis) Whitson, Phil (Diane) Whitson and Wayne Whitson; a sister, Carolyn Plum; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Alberta; a daughter, Lisa Marie; two grandchildren, Hayley and Daunte; a brother, Steve Whitson; and a brother-in-law, Jim Plum.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 10, at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Jerry's family present throughout. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at the funeral home. Burial, with military rites provided by the American Legion of Albia, Lovilia and Melrose, will be in Oak View Cemetery, Albia.
A memorial has been established to the Welcome Home Soldier Memorial.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.tharpfh.com.
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