Jerry Ambrose, 70
Jerry “walked through heaven’s gate” with a smile and a cheery “Hello” on Sept. 20, 2017, after seldom speaking as a result of primary progressive aphasia.
Jerry bounced into Tillie and Delcy’s arms on Sept, 24,1946, in Gardner, Massachusetts. He began an exciting adventure and life spent enjoying the wonders of God’s creation.
As a child, he loved playing with and teasing his little sister Jackie, biking to swimming holes, being a Boy Scout, and rabbit hunting with family. After high school he followed his teacher and mentor’s advice and became a licensed practical nurse. The “Draft” awaited and the Air Force called. After four years of service as a medic and ambulance driver he used the GI Bill at Northeastern and became a registered nurse.
Included in his RN training was a Work Study Program, which he organized, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jerry was great at figuring out ways to work, and have fun, so he thought Jackson would be a great place to ski as well as do medical training. Upon graduation, he and his mom loaded his VW Bug, with hockey sticks and skis attached, and headed west through Canada to a position in Jackson Hole. While there he began a 40-year romance with Jean Jacobs. They honeymooned backpacking in the Wind River Range and moved to Hawaii to dive and enjoy the Islands. While working in Jackson Hole, a nurse anesthetist told him that he could be giving people anesthesia so, after 11 months in Hawaii, he was off to Anesthesia School in Maine.
For 10 years Jerry helped patients at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital feel no pain. He formed Aurora Anesthesia and did locum tennen anesthesia in Alaska for one year while Jean fulfilled her teaching contract. In 1992 he remembered how beautiful the Flathead Valley was when he and his mom passed through, so he and Jean relocated to Montana. He continued working in Alaska in addition to hospitals in Montana and Idaho. Working in different locations allowed them to work and explore many places.
Jerry gave his heart to the Lord at a 9/11 Memorial service and began attending Easthaven Baptist. During his life he played hard and worked hard. He received glowing reports of handling stressful situations in a calm and efficient manner with kindness and genuine concern for his patients.
Jean thanks everyone who has been part of this journey, which began in 2006. Thanks for sharing your expertise, advise, concern, support, love and prayers. Thanks to praying friends
from Northern Lights Baptist, North Pole, First United Methodist, Fairbanks, Epworth United Methodist, Kalispell and Easthaven Baptist, Kalispell with special thanks to Small Group ladies who have prayed and given support for years.
Jerry loved being outside enjoying floating, fishing, backpacking, skiing, diving, biking and playing hockey. He was grateful to those who encouraged him regarding career choices and he offered a smile to all he met. As a tribute to Jerry, please use your words to encourage and build up others.
Jerry leaves behind his wife Jean, sister Jackie (Brian) Pfeifle of Massachusetts, brother-in-law Max (Arleen) Jacobs of lowa, sister-in-law Mary McWilliams of Oregon, sister-in-law JoAn (John) Bogen of Wyoming, along with cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.
Celebrations of life will be held out of state and donations may be made to the AWANA at Easthaven Baptist, 2010 Whitefish Stage Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, Veterans Food Pantry, 1349 U.S. Hwy. 2 East, Kalispell, MT 59901, or Youth Hockey, 725 Wisconsin Ave., Whitefish, MT 59937.