Haines, Oregon
Gerald Dean “Jerry” Nitcher, 58, of Haines, died March 23, 2007, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center.
At Jerry’s request, there will be no services. Cremation was by Eastern Oregon Pioneer Crematory.
Jerry was born Oct. 2, 1948, in Charles City, Iowa, to Wilber and Harriet (Miller) Nitcher. He grew up in Charles City, moving to Laddonia, Mo., as a teen. In 1970, Jerry married, and later had two daughters. The infant girls died from SIDS in 1972, and Jerry and his wife were divorced in 1974.
Jerry was remarried to Margaret Waddington Davis on March 21, 1986, in Iowa. The couple lived in Tennessee until 1997, when they moved to Haines. Margaret had two sons from a previous marriage whom Jerry loved as his own children
Jerry served in the U.S. Air Force from 1970-1971. In 1979, he joined the Missouri National Guard and in 1986 transferred to the Tennessee National Guard.
Being a truck driver kept Jerry from the family, home and farm. When he would return home, he loved to be with his family and the horses on the farm. Of course, Margaret wanted to go out to dinner, but Jerry was just happy at home with her cooking after weeks on the road.
He was a black powder enthusiast. He loved the war re-enactments back in Tennessee and Missouri. Jerry was a huge history buff, and he knew the Civil War like the back of his hand.
Just one year after moving to Oregon, Jerry was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In two short years, Jerry was forced to stop his lifelong career as a truck driver. Jerry moved to St. Elizabeth Care Center in 2000, where he lived until his passing.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Margaret Nitcher of Haines; stepsons, Attaway Davis of Pendleton, and Reader Davis and his wife, Kim, of Camden, Tenn.; grandchildren, Morgan, Christina and A.R. Davis, all of Haines, and Tyler Davis, Ashton and Ariel, all of Camden, Tenn.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, one sister; and two infant daughters Sarah and Tammy.
Contributions in Jerry’s memory can be made to the National SIDS Foundation or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in care of Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, March 26, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor