Jerry R. Morton

Jerry Richard Morton 71, of Kimberly, Idaho, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2017 due to complications of pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his wife and children.

Jerry was born on October 25,1945 in American Fork, Utah and adopted by Bernard and Mattie Morton of Kaysville, Utah, where he was raised. Jerry attended Davis High School and graduated in 1964, then enlisted in the U.S. Army 1964-72.

Jerry met his wife of 42 years while he was driving semi-truck. Teddie Standefer was working at the Burns Brothers Husky Truck stop as a waitress. They knew each other for only 3 weeks but it was love at first sight. He loved her long legs and long hair so he swooped her off her feet in a cloud of diesel smoke. They were married on November 16, 1974. Jerry couldn’t promise her the world but he did promise she wouldn’t be bored.

Jerry had several jobs in his lifetime. After his military service, he became a jack of all trades. Jerry drove Semi Truck, worked in fiber glass & sheet metal fabrication and was a machine mechanic at a potato processing plant. Jerry LOVED being a firefighter!! Jerry started his firefighting career at Simplot Burley, where he joined the fire brigade. When he moved the family to Kimberly he joined the Kimberly/T.F.Co. Mutual Fire Dept. in 1987, were he rose to rank of Asst. Chief. He was involved in the formation for the Rock Creek Fire District. He became a state instructor for Emergency Services Training. Jerry was on the Board of Directors for the Southern Idaho Fire Academy for 21 years. He loved to watch the fresh faces learning about fire safety and the seasoned firefighters learning about the latest techniques of fire suppression.

Of all the jobs Jerry had, he loved being a family man. He was so proud of his 4 children, Richard, John, Tracy, & Robyn.  Camping was the highlight of the Summer, topping it off with the “Great Hunt” with his sons and grandsons. They rarely brought one home but they had a blast in trying.

Jerry is proceeded by his Parents Bernard and Mattie Morton. He is survived by his loving wife Teddie, 4 children, 7 grandchildren, 8 brothers and sisters.

Services will be held at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home on October 3rd at 2 pm. Visitation will be from 5-7 on October 2nd. A grave side service will be at Rock Creek Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, south of Hansen on Rock Creek Rd.