- Date Of Birth: November 12, 1943
- Date Of Death: March 16, 2016
- State: Nebraska
Jerry Jerome McDole, the son of Dale C., Sr. and Jessie (Haley) McDole, was born on November 12, 1943, in Fairbury, Nebraska. He departed this life on March 16, 2016, at the Webster County Community Hospital in Red Cloud, Nebraska at the age of 72 years, 4 months, and 4 days.
Jerry was the second of four children that would be born in this family. In 1946, following the end of Dale, Sr.’s military service in World War II, the family moved to Red Cloud.
Jerry received his formal education at Red Cloud Public Schools, graduating with honors as the president of the class of 1961. Upon graduating from high school, Jerry enrolled at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He studied engineering for two years and pledged to Acacia Fraternity. He then returned to Red Cloud and worked for his father as a heavy equipment operator from 1963 to 1967.
In June 1964 he married Ruth Marget in Red Cloud. To this union, five children were born: Georgia, Jessica, Celia May, Eileen, and J.J. The couple later divorced.
Jerry moved back to Lincoln with his family in the summer of 1967 to resume his studies at the University of Nebraska. He graduated in May 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Upon graduation, he entered law school, and went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska on December 23, 1971. He was admitted to the Nebraska State Bar Association on February 28, 1972.
Jerry and his family then returned to Red Cloud, where he began practicing law with Bernard Sprague. He later established his own law office and continued practicing in Red Cloud until his death. During that time he also served as the Webster County Attorney from 1973 to 1983 and again from 2001 to 2012, making him the longest-serving County Attorney in the history of Webster County.
Jerry married Estela L. Chan, M.D., on November 26, 1983 in Red Cloud. To this union one son, Joseph, was born.
Jerry was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Red Cloud, the Nebraska State Bar Association, the 10th Judicial District Bar Association, the Nebraska County Attorneys’ Association, and had served as president of the Red Cloud Chamber of Commerce.
In his younger years, Jerry enjoyed buying, selling, collecting, and tinkering with automobiles as the owner of Quality Used Cars. He was especially fond of Corvettes and other General Motors vehicles. Later in life, Jerry loved to spend time operating heavy equipment to make various improvements to his land.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dale C. McDole, Jr.; and an infant daughter, Celia May. He is survived by his wife, Estela Chan, of Red Cloud; two siblings and their spouses—sister Irene and husband, Carl Andersen, of Superior, Nebraska; and brother Hayes and wife, Lolita, of Red Cloud; five children and their spouses—daughter Georgia Fear of Sutherland, Nebraska; daughter Jessica and husband, Darren Thompson, of Guide Rock, Nebraska; daughter Eileen and husband, Mick Jahn, of Kearney, Nebraska; son J.J. and wife, Dianne, of Kearney, Nebraska; and son Joseph and wife, Amy, of Red Cloud; seventeen grandchildren—Landan and Larren Fear; Anya (Thompson) Waters and husband, Matthew; Aaron, Amanda, and Allison Thompson; Courtney (Jahn) Templeton and husband, Michial; Sarah, Matthew, Emma, and Heath Jahn; Thomas and Pyper Ewing; Celia Marie, Mariah, Taylor, and Dale G. McDole; three great-grandchildren; plus a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Jerry will be remembered for his sense of humor, his distinctive laugh, his sharp intellect, his love for his family, and his desire to apply the law with common sense and to temper justice with mercy.
