Jerry L. Ingram

Jerry Lee Ingram was born August 31, 1932, in Franklin, Nebraska to Calvin Clair and Ardess Mary Yates Ingram. Jerry was the third of three boys and was born at home. Jerry spent his early years in Franklin but because of the Depression the family moved several times in 1937 and 1938, first to Callaway, then to Scottsbluff, then Rushville and finally back to Franklin. He graduated from Franklin High School in May 1950. The Korean War started in June 1950. After attending Kearney State College for a year, Jerry enlisted in the United States Navy for four years in December of 1951. He did his basic training in San Diego, California. While in boot camp he was in the USNTC Bobcats, training center’s drum and bugle corps. Upon completion of basic training, he was transferred to the USS LST 902. He served approximately two years on the 902 with two tours to Japan and Korea. On January 1, 1954, Jerry arrived at the Naval Training Center at Bainbridge, Maryland for eleven weeks training in the Personnelman Class A School. Upon completion of the Personnelman school he was transferred to Flag Administrative Unit, Air Force, Pacific Fleet at the Naval Air Station on North Island, San Diego, California.

On August 31, 1954, Jerry married Patricia McKillip in Kearney, Nebraska. They were later divorced. No children were born to this marriage.

Jerry returned to school at Kearney State College in June of 1955 and graduated in 1959 with a BA in Education. He taught school in Overton and Ogallala, Nebraska and then moved to Lincoln where he worked for Bankers Life Nebraska as a home office correspondent and underwriter. On October 30, 1965, he married Sharon Huston in Lincoln. Two boys were born to this marriage, Jim and Andy. While in Lincoln, Jerry started working for the Lincoln Public Schools as Director of Technical Services Center. In 1969 Jerry and Sharon and the boys moved to Curtis where he was Media Director for Medicine Valley Jr. Sr. High School. In 1973 the family moved to Menominee, Wisconsin where Jerry completed a Master of Science Degree in Audiovisual Education from the Wisconsin University system. The family then moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska where Jerry served as Media Director, then to Decorah, Iowa where he worked for the Keystone Area Education Agency, and then to Chadron where he became the Media Director for Chadron State College. After 16 years at Chadron State Jerry retired in 1996 as Director of Instructional Resources and Technical Services. Upon retirement the family sold their acreage in the Pine Ridge, bought a fifth wheel and traveled around the country for five years as full-time RVrs.

The family loved the adventure of traveling and volunteering. They volunteered at the Arizona/Sonoran Desert Museum and Sabino Canyon in Tucson, Tumacacori National Park in southern Arizona, San Juan Island National Park off the coast of Washington, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico for five winters and one summer, Acadia National Park in Maine where we were actually National Park Rangers, Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Denali National Park, Alaska where we worked for the Alaska Natural History Association, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Everglades National Park in Florida, Habitat for Humanity in Kearney, Rowe Sanctuary, Gibbon where Sharon ran the gift shop and Jerry volunteered, and Fort Kearny State Park in Kearney.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Ardess and Cal, brother’s, Bill (William) and Bob (Robert). Surviving are sons Jim and wife Connie and Andy and wife Wendy. Grandchildren Joshua and wife Melanie, Jonathan ans wife Mikayla, Caitlin, Caleb and wife Lysabela, Hannah and husband Austin Bervig, and Rachel. Cousins Cynthia Seifert of Franklin, Carol OConnell of Holdrege and Gordon Bush of Riverton. Nephews Scott of Bloomigton, Mike of Burwell, Danny of Kearney and Kent of Franklin.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church, 4500 Linden Dr., Kearney, NE., with Rev. JoEllen Axthelm officiating. The family will greet friends from 9:30 am until the service time at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday at the church. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy.

Family and friends not able to attend services will be able to live stream at kearneyfirstumc.org/watch-online

Inurnment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Franklin with family at a later date.

Memorials can be given to the Kearney Habitat for Humanity or the Kearney First United Methodist Church. For online condolences please visit www.hutchinsfh.com, services are under the direction of Hutchins Funeral Home, 1402 M Street, Franklin, NE 68939.