Jerry Lee Vrbas

Jerry Lee Vrbas

Sept. 30, 1946 - March 26, 2017

ATWOOD. Kan. — Jerry Lee Vrbas was born Sept. 30, 1946, in Colby, Kan., to James and Genevieve (Heble) Vrbas. He grew up in Atwood, Kan., where he attended Sacred Heart grade school and graduated from Atwood High School in 1964.

Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1965, hoping to travel the world by sea, but his aptitude for mechanics placed him at the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, Calif., and he completed his four years of military service without setting foot on a ship. Jerry was an excellent marksman and earned awards as a member of a naval pistol team. Jerry valued his years in the Navy and was proud of having served his country.

Jerry learned the trade of bricklaying from his older brothers, Gene and Bob. Over the decades, Jerry was a part of building many things throughout Northwest Kansas, Southwest Nebraska and Eastern Colorado that serve as monuments to his skill and integrity as a master mason. Jerry was hard working but also loved to laugh and work days were always more enjoyable when Jerry was there.

Jerry met Kathy Davis and they were married Dec. 26, 1975, and established their home on a small farm place east of Atwood, where they raised their four children until moving to Atwood in 2000. Each of his children had the opportunity to help Jerry on his jobs, learning a work ethic that would serve them well in life. His family was his priority. He played with his kids, read to them, took them fishing, hiking and camping and taught them to shift gears and drive before they could reach the pedals. Jerry enjoyed reading fishing, gardening, history, cooking, baking, nature and animals. In 2011, he adopted a rescue pup named Paco and they became inseparable. Above all, Jerry was immensely proud of his children.

Jerry was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer in January of 2017 and spent his final months enjoying time with his family. He died at his home on March 26, 2017 with his wife at his side.

Preceding Jerry in death were his parents and brothers, Gene, Bob and Jimmy.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy; their children and families, Jacob, wife, Michelle and children, Annabelle and James of Whidbey Island, Wash., Ben, wife, Sara and children, Hawke and Rosie of Casper, Wyo., Margaret, husband, Bryan Miller and children, Sawyer, Clara and Madsen of Denver, and Andrew, wife, Abi, of Hastings, Neb.; brothers, Tom and wife, Janet of Atwood, Michael and wife, Polly of Loveland, Colo., and Terry and wife, Donna of Mankato, Kan.; sisters, Carolyn and husband, Gordon Rachac of El Cajon, Calif., and Cathy Lippold of Atwood; nieces and nephews; and many other relatives.

Memorial services were March 31, 2017, at Courts of Praise in Atwood and a private inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorials were named to Hospice Services of Northwest Kansas or to the Jerry Vrbas Memorial, which will be designated by his family.

Baalmann Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.