Jerry D. Michel

Jerry D. Michel was born on Dec. 31, 1943, in Worland, Wyoming, to Edward and Helen Michel. He was the eldest of four children. Jerry passed away unexpectedly while raking leaves in his backyard in Billings, on April 15, 2024.

Jerry developed a love for farming and the outdoors as a young boy. He and his siblings have many stories of their adventures growing up together.

In high school, Jerry was active in school. His sophomore year, when Worland was state champions in football, he was named to the all-state football team. He was sophomore class president, on the representative council for four years, a member of the student council, president of the Washakie Chapter of the FFA, a school bus driver, played legion baseball and they were state champions in 1961, and president of the W Club his senior year. Jerry graduated in 1962.

He attended the University of Wyoming after graduation. He received scholarships and worked three jobs to put himself through college. In his sophomore year, Jerry was state President of Wyoming FFA, and he was one of the top 27 in the nation in Livestock and Poultry judging. On April 17, 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Jones. He graduated from college in 1966 and attended graduate school at the University of Wyoming.

In March of 1968, their son Mark was born. In July, he obtained his master’s degree and they moved to Fresno, California, where Jerry was making agricultural loans for the reinvestment division of Metropolitan Life. In 1970, their daughter Dyann was born.

In 1975. the family returned home to Worland, Wyoming, and farmed. After Mark and Dyann graduated from high school, Jerry returned to Metropolitan ag investments. In 1988, Jerry was promoted to assistant regional manager in Billings. In 1996, he was promoted to Western Regional Manager and moved to Fresno, California.

Jerry retired in 2008 to spend time with his family. He and Carol bought a motorhome, and Jerry loved the opportunity to take trips and see the country with his wife. His kids and grandkids enjoyed watching them walk together, hand in hand, as they explored and traveled together.

More than his accomplishments, even though they were numerous, Jerry was always known for being kind, humble, intelligent, honest and full of integrity. He was good at everything. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was a genuine person, our family’s hero, and we were all blessed by him.

People mattered to Jerry, as evidenced by the wealth of letters and cards he received through the years. We did not know until after he passed just how sentimental he was. However, he kept all the notes and letters anyone sent to him. His retirement folder was full of printed emails and cards — all neatly punched and added to his folder.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Carol, of Billings; his son, Mark (Wendi) Michel of Cody, Wyoming; and his daughter Dyann Romeijn of Billings; granddaughters Micayla (Tony) Macks and Ella Romeijn of Billings, and Emily Vigil of Hillsboro, Oregon; grandsons Ethan Vigil and Chase (Caitlin) Keller of Worland, Wyoming, and Jacob (Samantha) Keller of Powell, Wyoming. In addition, he is survived by his brother, Don (Del) Michel; sister Judy (Jack) Strauch of Worland, Wyoming; sister Nancy Myers of Stillwater, Minnesota; four great-grandchildren; and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Cheryl; and his nephew, Dennis Michel.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at Zion Lutheran Church, 1500 Circle Drive, Worland, Wyoming. A light lunch will be served following the service. Memorials can be made in Jerry’s memory to Zion Lutheran Church in Worland.

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