Albany, MO: Gerald “Jerry” Dale VanMeter passed away Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Mosaic Life Care in Albany, Missouri, at the age of 70.
Jerry was born in Bethany, Mo., on July 23, 1954, the son of Carl and Jeanie (Barker) VanMeter.
He attended school in Bethany and in 1972. Jerry graduated and continued to work for the family business at Hillcrest U-Haul Service Station. He was a mechanic and U-Haul dealer for over 50 years. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge and served as President for quite a few years. Jerry loved to help organize all of the Christmas toy drives at the Eagles Lodge and loved delivering them to the families.
On March 15, 1986, Jerry married Donna Jean (Stanton) VanMeter and brought to that union two children from his previous marriage, Valerie Jean and Jeremy Nelson. Donna and Jerry had two daughters, Amber Dawn and Haley Lenaa.
Describing a man of many talents means that everyone knew him for something different. While in high school, you may have known him for playing the trumpet, singing in the glee club, or for his artistic ability. Or maybe it was for his love of wrestling and baseball. Some people may remember him as the shortstop on many baseball or coed slow pitch teams or even for coaching the teams. Later on in his life you might have heard about his love for racing at Thunder Valley Raceway as he was known for his wheel standing ‘68 Camaro. He was known for his big personality, being the entertainer and life of the party that would welcome anyone to his home. But what he was most known for, was his huge heart and the amount of love he had for his friends and family.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Donna VanMeter, Bethany, Mo.; son, Jeremy (Karen) VanMeter, Bethany, Mo.; daughters, Amber Parkhurst, Bethany, Mo., and Haley (Jose) Hernandez, Mercer, Mo.; mother, Jeanie VanMeter, Columbia, Mo.; sister, Carlene (Jon) Broce, Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.; honorary brother, Tom (Carma) Hansel, Bethany, Mo.; seven grandsons, Jaren, Kasten, Jansen, Kale, Kane, Tresnan, and Rowan and his nieces, Justine and Jenna and nephew, Jonathan.
Jerry was preceded in death by his loving daughter Valerie, his father Carl, and his sister Nancy.
Visitation services will be held at Roberson Funeral Home, 1107 S. 25th St. Bethany, Mo. 64424, on Friday, October 18, 2024 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorials be made to the Harrison County Little League. Online condolences can be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.