Jerry Pappas

VICTOR - Jerry Pappas, 95, of Victor, MT passed away on December 7, 2022, after a brief and brave battle with dementia.

He was born on March 8, 1927, in Modena, Pennsylvania to Michael and Irene Alexiou Pappas. He was the sixth of ten children and the apple of his mother’s eye.  His family originated from the small village of Mytilene, Greece. He was known as the “Golden Greek” because of his blonde hair and blue eyes. He attended a one room schoolhouse until 8th grade. At that young age, he had to leave school and become the sole provider in his home.

Jerry served as a Corporal in WWII and was nicknamed “Corporal Gangrene Pappas”.  His service was spent in France and Germany. He hardly spoke about the war, but we can only imagine the impact it had on him. He picked up on the languages and loved using a bit of German and French anytime he could squeeze it into a conversation with a stranger or a friend.

Jerry married Ruth Marie Ebling on May 1, 1948. They enjoyed 14 years together and had two children, Carol and David. Jerry and their children’s lives were forever changed when Ruth’s life was cut short in a tragic car accident. Two years passed and God sent another angel into his life. Jerry married Mary Edna Irwin Brown, on August 9, 1964. With her daughter, Darlene by her side, they all began a new chapter in their lives as a family of five. Their union soon added 3 more daughters to the family, Irene, Diane, and Sandy.

Jerry was always a country boy. The mountains called his name. In 1978, he answered the call and moved his family from Pennsylvania to Montana. He began ‘living the Montana dream’ with cowboy hat and all. He loved a good western and could be caught with tears in his eyes during many a good show. He loved being outdoors, working the land, and raising animals. Cattle were an extension of Jerry, and all but his church shoes were covered in manure, and he loved it.

Jerry was never a stranger to hard work. He owned and operated Jerry’s Alignment Center in Pennsylvania and again in Montana. He was known far and wide for his honest and quality work. He designed and built multiple homes for his family as well as his alignment shops. He had a great love of gardening, hunting, raising animals, and spending time in the mountains.

One of his greatest joys was his love for the Lord. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints he served the Lord in many callings over the years including Bishop of their ward in Reading, Pennsylvania.  Jerry and Mary were blessed to serve a temple mission in Billings, Montana. What a glorious experience. His love for his Savior, his Father in Heaven, the gospel, and the scriptures were an integral part of his being.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Mary (2009), his wife Ruth; his parents: Michael and Irene; his daughter, Carol; his siblings: George, Annie, Mary, Lewis, Thomas, Christopher, Katherine, and Evangeline; his son-in-law, Brian (Irene’s husband); and his many beloved pets. What a grand reunion that must be!

Jerry is survived by his sister Fern; his children, David (Pam) Pappas, Irene Craft, Diane (Steve) Slade, Sandy (Quinn) Kirkland, his son-in-law Ben (Karen) Smith, and his step-daughter, Darlene (Larry) Becknell; 22 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren.

He will be remembered. He will be missed.

If there are cows to care for or fences to be mended in heaven, we are sure he is already hard at work.

A viewing will take place at 9:00 am on December 10, 2022, at the Corvallis LDS Church, and funeral service will follow at 10:00 am. Family and friends are invited to join for Graveside services with Military Honors at the Corvallis Cemetery following the funeral. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com