Gerald Wayne Ferrell
Gerald ‘Jerry’ Wayne Ferrell, age 76, of Billings, MT, formerly of Petersburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
Jerry is preceded in death by his father, Adren Newton ‘Slim’ Ferrell, and mother, Marian Breeden Ferrell, his sister, Janice Ferrell Whitley, and her husband, Henry ‘Bubba’ Whitley, as well as his in laws, Earl, and Kay Fake. Jerry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carol Ferrell, daughter, Rebecca ‘Becky’ McAllister, son, Michael ‘Mickey’ Ferrell, daughter-in-law, Dawn Ferrell, granddaughter, Catalina ‘Lina’ Ferrell, and grandson, Jameson ‘Jamie’ Ferrell. Jerry is also survived by a niece, Sarah Whitley, her partner, Sarah Sunde, and their children, Bennett, Emerson, and Caroline as well as a brother-in-law, Steve Fake, and his children Brenda Fake, Brian Fake, and Pam Stevens.
Jerry grew up in his beloved town of Petersburg, Virginia. He graduated high school from Petersburgh High School in 1964 and enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1970 during the Vietnam War. While serving, Jerry was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana where he met the love of his life, Carol. Not long after, Jerry and Carol were married at St. Pius the X on September 14, 1968, and honeymooned at the Yodeler Motel in Red Lodge, Montana.
Upon completion of his military service, Jerry and Carol moved back to Virginia for a short time. However, Montana was calling his wife home and he willingly gave up his home state to permanently move to Billings, Montana. The return to Montana, accompanied by their poodle, Dusty, was a cross county adventure in a 1966 yellow Mustang with no air conditioning. The consummate storyteller, Jerry was always quick to share that the “hottest place in the world is North Dakota in August with no air conditioning in the car.” Jerry enrolled at Eastern Montana College and graduated in 1973 with a teaching certificate.
In late 1974, Jerry and Carol adopted their first child, Mickey, and in 1977 adopted a second child, Becky. Along with Carol, his children, grandchildren, and extended family were so important to Jerry. He was incredibly proud of his children and deeply grateful to Becky who returned home to support him in caring for Carol. Jerry adored his grandchildren, Catalina, and Jamie, whom he would inquire about several times a week and looked forward to their visits.
Jerry loved taking family trips each summer back to Virginia to visit his parents and family and to show his children where he was raised. His mom’s legendary dinners were always a favorite as was sitting on the porch and watching the cars drive by. Each night, a baseball game was always found on the tv along with Jerry and his dad asleep in a chair. The annual trip to Kings Dominion was as much for the kids as it was for Jerry. While he didn’t ride the roller coasters, he loved ‘White Water Canyon’ and the ‘Bobsled Avalanche’ rides. He could never get enough of his favorite barbeque while in Virginia.
Jerry could be found Monday through Saturday at 5 AM at the Billings YMCA for the past 50 years doing his morning workout. In Jerry’s younger years, he played many summers of recreational softball leagues at Stewart Park. Later in life, during the summers, he would be out on the golf course at Laurel Golf Club or any number of courses in Billings. Jerry loved ‘golfing with his buddies’ whether it was ‘league at Lake Hills’ or just golf at Laurel. However, Jerry had to get home in time to watch his beloved Atlanta Braves baseball team and followed them closely each day throughout the baseball season. Jerry loved attending Billings West High School football games in the fall and basketball games during the winter. He was a lifelong fan of the Atlanta Braves and made watching games with Mickey and Becky a priority.
Jerry’s love of shoes was only outmatched by his love of hats, and he always had to stop to check out the selection no matter the store. Whether at Walmart or Albertsons, Jerry was never one to miss the ‘scratch and dent’ section in search of a tasty, sweet treat. However, summer visits from Catalina and Jamie were a favorite excuse to get a ‘Softies’ ice cream cone.
Jerry’s family is hosting a ‘Celebration of Life’ event on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Billings Elks Lodge – 934 Lewis Avenue from 1 PM to 3 PM. Condolences may be offered at PO Box 50902 Billings, Montana 59105. Memorial Donations can be made in Jerry’s name to: Billings Family YMCA, or Laurel Golf Club for youth golfing opportunities.
