 Our family would love to be there to help celebrate your life but at this time we find it a little difficult. We talk of you every day and we think of you as a brother only from another Mother.
 I probably know Jerry as well as anybody except for Dennis and Janice. We grew up together with our brother and sister all playing in the old sandbox crowded with old metal trucks and cars and playing ball in the vacant lot next to his house on 11th St. in Grand Island Ne.
 After playing all day outside in the dirt we would wash up and I remember Aunt Mildred telling Jerry to go wash his hands and elbows again after washing them, to get the spots he had missed and as always he would use the good lava soap. And I remember his always smelling like Lava when we were kids.
Jerry and his family also visited our home in Kearney and on one occasion my brother( Barry) Jerry and I decided to go fishing at Kearney Lake about 2miles from our house. After arriving there, resting and eating we fished our butts off and finally headed home to show our folks how proud we were of our catch of the day.
One thing I should mention is that we had to walk through our small town to get home again. So everybody in town saw our big catch, we were proud.
We were young and didn't realize that a five inch sun fish didn't constitute  as a big fish. I still have a picture of us three with our big catch of the day, I still smile when I see it. 
 As Jerry got older and able to help people I was told after school he would go over to our Grandma Edwards house after a snow storm and shovel the snow off her sidewalks which to me seemed to be at least block or more long and 10ft deep. I think Dennis probably helped also but he never told me so. He also carried in coal from the barn for the furnace and the stove to keep Grandmas house warm. 
At about 13 years old Jerry and his family moved to California and started working at the Cole Mobil Service Station business. Later to be called Leonard's Service where Jerry and his brother Dennis worked. 
And for awhile I didn't visit the McKibbens as much only on vacations . I got back with Jerry after I joined the Navy and was stationed close by. And every chance I got I would visit Jerry and the rest of the McKibben family in L.A.
Jerry always welcomed me into his home as he did with all the rest of his friends, even though he may have had to work or had a bad day.
 He would say lets go have lunch or coffee and we would talk like brothers do. In fact I probably talked to Jerry more then my own brother. And if I had a problem or a question I would come to Jerry and he seemed to have a good answer.
Over the next few years Jerry and I or our families went on many adventures going 4 wheeling, Mexico for the boat races, hunting, fishing, Truck Races in Vegas and horse back riding.
I remember going hunting with Jerry several times and we had a blast. Not only did I find out he could do a excellent job of handling a horse but he could snore like a Grizzly Bear in a two man tent. He also proved to a excellent cook on our hunting trips even after we put the eggs in a near by stream to stay cool and away from the bears. Who knew the water was going to freeze over night and the eggs did too. Have you ever tried to fry a frozen egg? Jerry did.
On one hunting trips he told me that he would get the food if I provided the antifreeze (drinks). After traveling all day on horseback through Gods Country, Jerry said lets have a night cap, so I broke out my pint of Kentucky and he just dropped his jaw and looked at me. I guess he expected more. You know that pint lasted 4 more days just in time before our Indian Guide brought back our horses so we could ride out, (without a deer) He never let me live that pint of whisky fiasco down, but we had fun and laughed a lot.
Jerry was also a avid reader of history and western books and occasionally watched a good movie, one night when we visited him at his cabin we watched a Chuck Norris movie with a lot of Karate in it, just before it ended Jerry decided it was bed time and went to be. A few minutes later we all heard a crash and bang! We all ran to see Jerry had just performed some Chuck Norris on the bedroom window  and a sore big toe. He was sitting on the side of the bed and looked up and said what the.... happened. We all looked at each other and started laughing, and told him he must have been helping Chuck get the bad guys.
These are just a few of the great times that come to mind that we spent with this giving, talented, funny, smiling and curly haired brother.
 God to with you Bill and Terry Franz

From all of us at Loyola Automotive...We could not have asked for a better boss and friend. He will be missed! We didn't see him as often over the past couple of years, as he was at the ranch, either riding around on his tractor with his dog, or blowing up gophers. Rest easy Boss, we hope the fishing is good!

Karen and Family,  So sorry for your loss but hope your memories will help you through this time of sorrow.  As I have read the many loving tributes made by friends & family, I am sorry we never got to meet him & feel like we missed someone very worthwhile.  Our thoughts & prayers are with you all at this time.

Jerry Wayne  we miss you, it's a sad day for all that knew you& loved you. You were Bill's brother you had so much fun together. All the hunting trips that you took. All the good times in Pine Mountain or Just hanging out together. You rest in peace we will see you again. Bill and Terry

Hi Karen, sorry we all had to lose a great friend, dad and husband. I'm glad I got to know Jerry. He was a real friend to Jesse and I.             Love and prayers to you Karen, Keith and Jennifer..

Jerry Wayne, a cousin who cared, brought Nebraska and Nebraskans to California.Enjoyed life most, when shared with loved ones and friends. Barry's buddy,Bill's brother,and Barb's hero(except for gorilla costume) Heaven awaits you, tell everyone we miss you all. The Meyer's

I am so sorry for your loss Karen & Jennifer.  I'll be thinking about you,  take care.  xoxoxo  Vicki

Dear Karen & Jennifer and all of Jerry's family: I'm SO very sad to hear about Jerry. He was a wonderful husband to my dear friend Karen (#2).  I will always laugh when I remember how appreciative he was of my bumper sticker, and how he loved Karen enough to not talk politics in front of me. ;-)   He was clearly deeply loved by all who knew him. My heartfelt sympathy.  Very sad.

Lindos recuerdos, por siempre en nuestra memoria.

On behalf of Marina Del Rey Anglers I'd like to express our condolences.  He and Skip were buddies and fishing pals.  The boat Young Guns is still out fishing and last weekend must have had some of Jerry's and Skip's mojo going as they found local Dorado near PV.

RIP.  One more sailor over the bar.

KL

KAREN,  CONNIE AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER ALL HE GOOD TIMES WE HAD ON CRUISES AND MEXICO, TIMES THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN, ALL GREAT MEMORIES.

We'll always remember all the good times with Jerry...fresh fish when Tom first met him, double dates in the marina, good times traveling, and in Paso more recently.  A true heart of gold and the best grin ever.  Our condolences to Karen, Keith, Jennifer and the whole extended family.  Love, Allison and Tom

{ WE ARE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN, AND WHEN HE CALLS WE HAVE TO RETURN HOME..}
A PERSON THAT DEPARTS FROM THIS EARTH NEVER TRULY LEAVES, THEY STAY ALIVE IN OUR HEARTS, IN OUR MINDS... THROUGH US THEY LIVE ON, AND WE HAVE GAINED AND ANGEL IN HEAVEN TO WATCH OVER US....IM NOT THE BEST AT THESE THINGS , BUT THIS MESSAGE IS HEARTFELT, MY DEEPEST SYMPATHYS.    RICH CHAPTER 12

DEAR KAREN AND FAMILY: WE ARE SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOSS.
WE REMEMBER YOUR HAPPY TIMES AND THAT IS HOW WE WILL REMEMBER JERRY.. FRED AND CINDY BLUM

We had great times together, sharing memories and experiences of running automotive repair businesses........I will really miss Jerry and will always remember the good times we had together. Jerry and Karen always generous in sharing their beautiful home and hosting great parties and wonderful intimate dinners. I remember playing ping-pong in the patio in Playa del Rey until after midnight, sitting on the front porch in Templeton sipping wine and shooting "target practice" under the shade tree. I was glad I visited recently in the hospital and will always miss his warm smile and firm handshake. My love and sympathy to you Karen, and to the whole family. I will ALWAYS remember!

Dear Karen:

Keeping Jerry and you in our hearts, thoughts and prayers forever, and asking God to draw you close to Him during this difficult time. God bless you always. 
                                                                                 Jay (Las Vegas, NV)

Jerry and I fought the city when they outlawed outside hoist, we both build additional service bays to comply with the building department! Afterword we would talk about fishing, who was catching what and where and when! We both loved to talk whenever we met! I will miss him a lot!
May God Bless you during this time of sorrow karen....John & Colette Modesti

Jerry,

Any man who could win the heart of my dear friend Karen had to be a pretty wonderful guy with a great sense of humor and a love of sailing. And that was you, Jerry! 

Always enjoyed the fun times with both of you -- you created warm and loving memories in our hearts. 

Jerry, you will be missed incredibly, but never forgotten. 

Know your spirit will be attending your Celebration of Life and feeling the outpouring of love for you.  

Much Love to Karen and Jennifer.

We are so sorry for your loss. When I think of Jerry I always think of his smile. His smile could light up your heart and it is something we can all keep with us!

All of the cruises, traveling Vegas in a cab w/Everclear, our Mexico adventures---including a very heavy chess set, what great memories, and what a very sad loss.  Jerry is missed greatly.   My love, prayers and lots of laughable memories will always be with you and your families, as well as in my heart!!

Mardi Gillette, Mohave Valley, AZ

Dear Karen, Jennifer and Family...

We're so sorry to hear of the loss of your wonderful Jerry.  He was such a sweet, kind man who will be sorely missed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

When I think of Uncle Jerry, I think of Pine Mountain and the countless adventures our families had there.  I remember the night we celebrated New Years there and how many of my baby videos were shot at that cabin.  
I think about his boat.  I think about the countless hours he poured into fishing and being out on the ocean.  He taught my dad how to take the perfect fishing photo and took him on some trips that he still talks about today.
I think of Mobil and Loyola.  I don't think there was a member of our family who didn't have Mobil or Loyola shirts.  In fact, I think I still have a couple lying around.
I think of that house in El Segundo and the weekends we spent there when i was little.  I think of his sweet chow dog Tor and how he loved that dog so much.  I think of how loud he snored in his chair when he fell asleep way before the rest of the family was done partying.  I think of going to brunch on the weekends when we would visit.  
I think of sitting around on the patio listening to my dad and Uncle Jerry talk about growing up in Nebraska and the numerous adventures they had as little boys.  
I can remember all the times he took us places or made us food that was well out of our comfort zones and when I didn't quite enjoy it as much as he would have liked, he loved me anyway.  
I remember how he flew back to Nebraska to sit through a 2 hour long college graduation just to see me walk across the stage to get my degree.  I remember that he had just had a foot surgery around that time, but he made the trip anyway.  It made me feel very special.  
I remember how he and Karen flew out to Nebraska to celebrate the 4th of July with us.  Though it wasn't high society or anything really marvelous, he and Karen both had nothing but praises about our backyard fireworks show.
When I think of Uncle Jerry I remember how he could make my dad laugh and smile for hours.  I remember the last time I saw him he said, "Christy Lee, your dad is like my brother".  Those words I will never forget.
I think of Shawn and Keith.  There were no 2 boys more loved that them.  I think of that drawing and that picture that was always hung on the wall in every home he lived in and how he seemed to talk about them or point them out every time we visitied. 
I think about our last trip to see Uncle Jerry.  I remember visiting the wineries in central California and sipping a glass of wine with him.  I remember my dad enjoying every second of time they spent together that week playing pool and hanging out. 
I remember his smile. I remember his voice and his laughter.  I remember his kind heart and generous spirit.
Mostly, I remember what joy Uncle Jerry brought to my dad's life in the fishing excursions, in the sitting around reminiscing, in the phone calls they exchanged, and the stories about "Granddad" and "Aunt Betty".  
I am deeply saddened by his passing but know that we will see each other again in eternity.  I love you Uncle Jerry.  So blessed to have had you as a part of my life!

OBITUARY

Jerry Wayne McKibben

9 April, 1946 – 13 October, 2014

Chapel of the Roses & Chapel of the Roses Cemetery

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