Jerry Ralph Kress was born Nov. 28, 1938 in American Falls, ID, to Alice Lena Detzel Kress and James Michael Roscoe Kress. He was raised on a wheat and cattle ranch in Rockland, ID. He graduated from Rockland High School, earned a BA from Pacific Lutheran University, and PhD in philosophy from the University of Michigan.
Jerry married Gwen Thomas on June 11, 1961. He taught philosophy at the University of Maryland for 11 years and then moved back to Idaho to farm with his father Roscoe. He worked with the Power County Grain Growers, served on the Idaho State Wheat Board and the US Wheat Associates which enabled him to travel throughout the United States and abroad all over the world.
He was a humble and devout man, a loving husband and father, a hard-working respected teacher and farmer. Jerry was active in the St. John’s Lutheran congregation and taught several adult Bible studies, served on the church council, was a member of the Eastern Idaho/Washington Lutheran synod, represented the synod at the national church-wide convention, and was a member of the Luther Heights Camp Board of Directors.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roscoe, and son, Timothy. He is survived by his mother Alice Kress, wife Gwendolyn (Gwen) Kress, children Jon (Melanie) Kress and Kristin (Matthew) Kress-Weitenhagen, grandchildren James, Justin, Madelyn and Timothy.
Viewings were held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 28, at Davis-Rose Mortuary, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in American Falls, with the funeral service at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Luther Heights Bible Camp, PO Box 389, Shoshone, ID 83352 or St. John’s Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund. Condolences, memories and pictures may be shared at www.davisrosemortuary.com.
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