Gerald “Jerry” H. Schwarz

Obituary

Gerald “Jerry” H. Schwarz

Jan. 17,1945 - Nov. 10, 2024

KEARNEY, Neb. - Gerald “Jerry” H. Schwarz, age 79 of Kearney, died on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at St. Luke’s - Good Samaritan Center in Kearney.

Funeral services will be on Friday, Nov.15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Kearney. Pastor Jo Ellen Axthelm will officiate and burial will be later. Visitation will be on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney.

Memorials may be made in Jerry’s name to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation or First United Methodist Church of Kearney’s East Lawn Food Pantry. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements.

The life of Gerald Hugo Schwarz began in Denver, Colo. on Jan. 17,1945. Jerry was a healthy baby until a series of health issues required his parents to seek medical attention. The doctors were baffled by the huge boils that covered his face and body. The doctors said it may be the altitude in Denver that was causing the problem. After much discussion, it was decided to move the family to the Schwarz farm located on the original homestead six miles north of Herndon, Kan.

They resided in the house built by Jerry’s dad which had no water and no electricity. Electricity was provided after they moved in. Shortly after arriving at the farm, Jerry had a close call with death. Since there was no water in the house, four-year-old Jerry decided to get a drink from the holding tank. He fell in the tank and if it were not for his older sister hearing him scream, he would have drowned. He told this story at her funeral which he conducted.

After graduating from high school with the class of 1963, he attended McCook Junior College followed by the University of Nebraska Lincoln, graduating with a teaching degree.

On Aug. 5 1967, Jerry married his high school sweetheart Phyllis Anne Adams after six years of courtship. They moved to Mead in 1967 where Phyllis taught high math for four years. Jerry taught mathematics in Fremont Junior High School for three years and then took over the teaching position vacated by Phyllis after she resigned to begin the family.

They were blessed with three sons - Brian, Andy, and Jim - while living in Mead. Jerry taught high school mathematics for six years and became involved in civic responsibilities through the rescue squad, fire department and planning committee. They enjoyed square dancing and following the sports activities. Jerry was pep club sponsor in the high school for four years often riding on the bus with his son Brian.

God called Jerry to the full-time ministry in 1977. After counsel with the pastor of the Wahoo UMC, Jerry and Phyllis and sons left for a small community in Georgia to serve as a student pastor so seminary training at Candler School of Theology could be competed. They returned to Nebraska in June, 1980 to begin ministry at towns across Nebraska, including Cedar Hill and Greenwood, Arnold, Arapahoe, Ainsworth; ending his time in full-time ministry at Callaway and Morning Star UMC. Jerry ministered to thousands, playing a major role in life events such as baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals as well as sharing the love of Christ day in and day out.

In 2010, Jerry retired and he and Phyllis moved to Kearney, Neb. He was retired for just three months before serving as an interim pastor at many churches in the area. These include Pleasanton, Morning Star, Elm Creek, Overton, Culbertson, Trenton, Greeley, North Loup, Scotia, and Shelton. After serving these churches, he was hired as Parish Visitor by the Kearney UMC until 2019. He would visit over 100 shut ins, nursing home residents, and assisted living residents on a regular basis.

Jerry desired to have a deep relationship with Jesus and for his family to grow close to Jesus, to each other, and to be used by Him. He loved everyone and wanted others to know the love offered by God through His Son Jesus Christ.

He enjoyed woodworking and gave many, many gifts to his children and grandchildren, along with countless others. Often he would make so many gifts that he had difficulty giving them away. But he wanted to be remembered for his love for life and his desire to give himself away to help others. He and his wife spent their years serving others and his love for her was very deep.

Jerry was very proud of the partners that were sharing their lives with his sons. He deeply loved his grandchildren and they were the apple of his eye, cherishing time spent with them and making things for them. For decades, Jerry was a fixture in bleachers across Nebraska as he and Phyllis watched their beloved grandchildren participate in countless sporting events.

Jerry is survived by his wife Phyllis; sons Brian and Tanna, Andy and Patti, and Jim and Carrye; sister Sharon and husband Darrell. Also grandchildren Alexis and husband Andy with great-grandson Daxon, Chase and wife Erica with great-grandchildren Xander and Lana, Eamon and wife Rachel with great-grandson Bolton, Blake and fiancée Shelby Luppen, Bailey, Bryn, Carson and significant other Bailey McGowen, Mia and Drake.

Preceding him in death was his father Hugo, mother Helen, sister Glenda, and brother Larry.