Gerald "Jerry" William Eisley

Jerry was born on July 7, 1946, in Denver, CO, to Frank and Dorothy Eisley. Being the oldest of six children and living in challenging times, circumstances forced him to grow up quickly, and Jerry began breaking colts at the age of 12 at the Sylvan Dale Ranch in Loveland, CO.

At age 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country for four years, including a 13-month active duty deployment to Vietnam. Jerry was incredibly proud to be a Marine, and had a deep respect for this country and all who served.

In August of 1968, Jerry was married to Judi Stolzenburg from Crookston, NE. Three children, Justin William, Mary Faith, and Echo Lynette were born of this union. To support his family, Jerry worked for various cattle ranches, and show cattle operations across the Midwest. The marriage was dissolved in 1974.

Jerry went on to meet the love of his life in 1979 and was united in common law marriage with Yolanda “Lonnie” Wiese. He spent several years working for a trainer at the Centennial Racetrack in Littleton, CO, where he went on to become an outrider. During the off season at the track, Jerry did custom horse hauling for extra income, which allowed him to travel around the country, see a lot of places, and amass an endless number of stories.

Jerry was always involved in rodeo, especially team roping and calf roping. His love of horses and rodeo led him to become manager and partial owner of Castle View Horse Center in 1984. He was asked to flag ropings at the Douglas County Fairgrounds over the years, and he helped a number of area ranchers to round up, brand, and ship their cattle. Jerry loved horses so much that Lonnie often worried he may get rid of her before he got rid of them … so she was elated in his later years when he asked, “If I sell my horses, can I buy a Polaris?”

It was very important for Jerry to provide for his family, and he worked hard to make sure he had something to leave behind, which meant moving on from the daily cowboy life. Jerry went to work for Douglas County Traffic Services, building signs and striping roadways, and he built a paint truck from scratch. He retired as an Assistant Supervisor in 2008 after 20 years of service. Jerry was also an honorary member of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Posse, where he helped with missing persons searches and local parades.

Jerry spent much of his life outdoors. He loved fishing, hunting, and camping, especially the trips with his pack horses. One of his favorite stories to tell was when he guided an elk hunt for some prominent Denver Bronco football players, and was gifted a beautiful hunting rifle that he was quite proud of. Jerry loved an adventure, and even went on two different Caribbean cruises.

As much as he loved horses, rodeo, and the great outdoors, Jerry’s great love was his family. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the center of his world and the subject of most of his stories. His family also included many four-legged friends, as he always had a dog by his side.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Yolanda Wiese; son Justin Eisley (wife Connie), daughter Mary Gambill (fiancé Casey Jones), and daughter Echo Sharkey; grandchildren Tricia Sandy (husband Kyle), Ryan Doyle, Tanner Eisley, Jake Gambill, Tucker Gambill, Shelby Jones, Ely Sharkey and Evyn Sharkey; great-grandchildren Jaedyn, Landon, Paetyn, and Jaxson Sandy, and Josey Faith Gambill; sister Fran Krenick, sister Diane Derr; and many other in-laws, outlaws, and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Dorothy Eisley; brother, Everett Eisley, sister Gayle Ford, sister Carol Porter and mother in law Judith Wiese.

Services will be held on Friday, May 28th, 2021. Viewing will be at 9:00 am at Crooked Oak Acres (3350 N State Hwy 83, Franktown), graveside service with military honors at 10:00 am at Franktown Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:30am at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Kirk Hall (500 Fairgrounds Rd) in Castle Rock. A light lunch will be served after.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Funeral Home in Castle Rock, CO.

Flowers can be sent to Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Funeral Home in Castle Rock. Memorials can be sent in Jerry’s honor to:

Wounded Warrior Project

PO Box 758525

Topeka, KS

66675-8525

Attn: Community Fundraising

https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/campaign/Jerry-Eisley-Memorial

Special thanks to the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center K-2 doctors, nurses and staff for the wonderful care that was provided in Jerry’s final days.