Jerry O. D. Lemon passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, May 8, 2023 two days after his 78th birthday in Mapleton, Utah.
Jerry was born on May 6, 1945 to Estel Junior and Joan Christine Lemon (Minerich) in Hotchkiss, Colorado. When Jerry was five years old, he moved with his family to East Carbon, Utah for his father’s work. After graduating from East Carbon High School in 1965 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Jerry served in the Third Marine Air Wing and was a Crew Chief on a Huey gunship while serving a tour in Vietnam. Upon returning to the United States, he married Kathryn Allred of East Carbon, Utah in the Manti Utah Temple on August 23, 1969.
They made their home in Ogden, Utah where they both attended Weber State University. Jerry majored in Automotive and Diesel Technology, a continued passion from working on Huey gunships in Vietnam. They graduated together from Weber State University in 1972 and for a short time lived in Salt Lake City while Jerry worked as a Diesel Mechanic. In 1973, they moved back to East Carbon City and settled into a house they would call their home for the next 50 years. Jerry worked at Horse Canyon and Kaiser Steel Mines and eventually got on with MSHA as a Federal Mine Inspector in 1977 and worked there until his retirement in 2005.
Faith and family summarize Jerry’s life and priorities. He selflessly gave of his time to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Jerry provided a rich example to those who knew him. He served in various church callings throughout his life including, Bishop of his ward and later served a church service mission with his wife in Price, Utah helping the unemployed in Carbon County find meaningful work.
Due to his longevity working in the mines and in the community, he would not venture far from home without someone shouting, “Jerr.” Many times, a conversation with friends and neighbors would take place, a testament to Jerry’s life well lived.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathryn of East Carbon, Utah; three children, Kristin Bean (Ben) of Spanish Fork, Utah, Josh Lemon (Jill) of Herriman, Utah, and Brooke Greathead (Simon) of Mapleton, Utah; ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Jerry is also survived by his sister, Judy Andra Hintze (Bruce) of St. George, Utah.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Estel Junior and Joan Lemon.
Funeral services for Jerry are scheduled for Friday, May 12, 2023, 11:00 a.m., East Carbon Ward Chapel (145 Grassy Trail East Carbon, Utah). The family will receive friends from 9:00 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church in East Carbon. Burial will follow in the East Carbon City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Jerry online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net