Jerry Devon Easter, 75, of Waterloo, Iowa, died Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Cedar Valley Hospice Home from complications of COPD. He was born August 22, 1939, in Ottumwa, the son of Albert and Goldie Elmore Easter.

Jerry graduated from Vinton High School in 1957, and from the University of Northern Iowa in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Rainier.

He married Marie L. Dietrich on June 26, 1966, at First Presbyterian Church in Vinton.

He worked at John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works for 26 years in quality control, retiring in 1999 as senior service representative. From 1963-1969, Jerry was an announcer at KXEL Radio and had also worked at Wagner Manufacturing Co. For over 25 years, Jerry operated Custom Video out of his home. He was instrumental in starting active radio ministry at Ascension with 992 broadcasts, just slightly short of his 1,000 goal. He was the announcing voice of the Christian Crusaders radio ministries.

Jerry was always upbeat looking on the bright side and never complained. He was an avid Hawkeyes fan and enjoyed going to Kinnick Stadium. He also collected coins; a passion that began in his youth as a paper boy. Jerry was proud of his giant hibiscus flowers he grew every year; most recently, he became interested in bird watching.

He was an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church, serving as usher, deacon and the perfect “prep cook” for luncheons. Jerry also belonged to four different chapters of Barbershop Choruses for 45 years: Cedar Falls, Black Hawk Metro, Cedar Rapids and St. Charles, Missouri.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Marie; a daughter, Kirsten Easter of Waterloo; a son, Ryan (Deborah) of Geneva, Illinois; three grandsons: Dalton (Michaela Stitchman) Williams, and Luke and Nicholas Easter; a great grandson, Henry Williams; and a sister, Mary Ellen Mease of Albuquerque, New Mexico.