Gerald Killion, 95
Gerald Edwin Killion, 95, Urbandale, passed away on March 6, 2025, at Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale.
Jerry was born Sept. 20, 1929, in Oakland, to Rufus K. Killion and Opal Francis Taylor. At the age of five his family moved to Red Oak, where he graduated from high school in 1947. Jerry was a Hospitalman Third Class in the U.S. Navy in 1948-1949, followed by six years in the Navy Reserve. Always proud of serving his country, Jerry shared many stories of the sailor life in San Diego, San Francisco, and aboard the U.S.S. Princeton and U.S.S. Suisin.
Jerry married Jean Eloise Northwall of Essex, on Dec, 28, 1950, a partnership that endured just shy of 73 years. The young couple settled in Iowa City, where Jerry graduated from the University of Iowa’s College of Pharmacy in 1953. This was followed by positions at South Side Drug Store in Ottumwa and LaRue Drug and Glenwood State School in Glenwood, where Jerry practiced pharmacy. Jean taught elementary school until their first child, Christopher Jay, was born in 1955. In 1957 they moved to Exira and opened Killion Pharmacy while welcoming two more sons, John Dennis in 1957 and Thomas Alan in 1958. In 1966, Jerry sold the store and returned to Red Oak to join his father, and brother Dennis, both pharmacists, in the family’s business, the Red Cross Drug Store. Jerry and Denny later bought the store from their dad and ran it together until 1983. During this time Jerry and Jean had a fourth son, Jeffrey Todd, in 1967. All four sons helped out at the store many times. While in Red Oak, Jerry served his community through the Lions and Elks clubs, Montgomery County Welfare Board, Public Health Nursing Service, American Legion, and the Chamber of Commerce.
In 1983, Jerry joined Computer Inc. Pharmacy Computer Systems and in 1986 became Director of Pharmacy at Stokeld Health Services, Moline, Ill. Jean and Jerry lived in Coal Valley, Ill., from 1987 until 1993 and then headed for the Lake of the Ozarks in Sunrise Beach, Mo. Jerry worked part time at a drugstore in Laurie, Mo., until retiring from a 50-year career as a licensed pharmacist. Their cozy lakefront home created many wonderful memories of boating, barbeques, and Jerry’s famous margaritas. They also visited family and friends around the country in an RV and traveled to Europe.
In 2011, Jerry and Jean moved into Deerfield where they made countless new friendships and volunteered in the facility’s nursing care unit and general store. At Deerfield they also participated in bible study groups. Throughout their lives Jerry and Jean nurtured their faith, serving on various church councils and care groups, including Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Red Oak and Kent Memorial Lutheran Church in Sunrise Beach. Jerry certainly called upon his faith in 2022 when Jean passed away at the age of 93.
Jerry and Jean were active University of Iowa alumni. They spent many fall Saturday afternoons cheering the Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium and once followed the team to the Rose Bowl. As their four sons were all Iowa graduates, many family gatherings centered around football weekends in Iowa City. The entire family bled the black and gold proudly.
Above all for Jerry and Jean was their unwavering commitment to each other and their family. They lived a lifetime of love, compassion, and forgiveness. They worked hard and took responsibility, and impressed upon their sons to do the same. They provided their sons college educations to pursue fulfilling and successful careers. And when their sons started their own lives and families, Jerry and Jean would always say, “Take care of your family. We’re proud of you and love you.”
Jerry is survived by his sons Christopher and wife Deb of Coralville, John and wife Paula of Omaha, Neb., Thomas and wife Dawn of Des Moines, and Jeffrey and wife Rachel of Attleboro, Mass.; grandsons, Benjamin and wife Jamie, Samuel and wife Dawn, Aaron and partner Marisha, David and wife Roz, and Daniel; granddaughters, Natalie and Claire; great-grandsons Charlie and Christopher and great-granddaughters Stella and Cecelia; four nieces and two nephews; and brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Mary Lee Killion of Red Oak.
Following a private burial at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, a memorial service for family and friends will be held in the Event Center at Deerfield Retirement Community, Friday, April 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials or contributions may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, or the Deerfield Community Fund via the Immanuel Community Foundation, at 1044 N. 115th Street, Omaha, NE 68144.