Gerald Laurel "Jerry" Bommel

Mr. Gerald Laurel "Jerry" Bommel, 86, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Monday, May 3, 2021, at Capital Region Medical Center. Jerry was born on February 20, 1935, in Humboldt, Iowa, a son of the late August Walter and Grace Marion (Gaster) Bommel. He was married on January 25, 1958, in California, Mo. to Emma Katschman. In 1939, Jerry's family moved to Fulton, Mo. They also lived in Jefferson City and Holts Summit. Jerry attended school in New Bloomfield and was a 1953 graduate of New Bloomfield High School. Jerry graduated Lincoln University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree in Sociology. Jerry served in the United States Army for three years, earning the rank of E-4 Specialist. He spent 18 months in Guam where he worked in a heavy equipment unit which helped to extend the runway at Anderson Air Force Base. Jerry also spent one year in Washington State at Fort Lewis, Washington. In 1973, Jerry returned to civilian life and in Jefferson City. He began working for the Missouri State Penitentiary as a guard at night while he attended college courses throughout the day. Jerry worked his way up to Superintendent I and retired in 1997. Jerry was a board member of Learning in Retirement, an active member of the Healthplex and played bocce ball at Prison Brews, where he made many friends. Jerry was the master of bad Dad jokes, even telling jokes throughout his last week. He passed on this trait to his kids and grandkids. Jerry was very talented and played many musical instruments. He never failed to play "Happy Birthday" on the harmonica to his grandkids on their birthdays. Jerry loved being outside, especially when he was able to have a line on the water or a golf club in his hand. He was an avid sports fan and he never missed watching the St. Louis Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs, or the Mizzou Tigers. Jerry loved to travel with his wife, Emma, visiting almost all 50 states, except Alaska. They made many trips to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, and Morocco. They were on a bus tour in Czechoslovakia on the day they voted to divide the country in two. Most of all, Jerry loved his family and all of the memories they made. He was most proud of being "Grandpa" to his grandkids and cherished their tractor rides together. Survivors include: his loving wife of 63 years, Emma; three sons, Dan Bommel (Kathy) of Lohman, Dennis Bommel (Stephanie) of Linn Creek, and Tim Bommel of Jefferson City; sister-in-law, Betty Bommel; 12 grandchildren, Corey Bommel (Nastassia), Katie Long (Joseph), Derek Bommel (Myranda), Chelsea Bommel, Jonathan Bommel, Anna Holzworth (Chris), Grace Bommel, Timothy Bommel, Sarah Bommel, Benjamin Bommel, Lydia Bommel and Rebekah Bommel; and five great-grandchildren, Mark, Ian, William, and Elis Long, and Gavin Bommel. He was preceded in death by his parents and "his five ornery Bommel brothers," Robert Bommel, Floyd Bommel, Jack Bommel, his identical twin, Jimmy Bommel, and infant brother, A.W. Bommel Jr.; and his daughter-in-law, Annette Bommel. Funeral services were held Friday, May 7, 2021, in the Freeman Mortuary with the Reverend Melissa Hatfield officiating. Graveside services with military honors followed at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. A webcast of the funeral service may be viewed by going to his memorial page on Freeman Mortuary's website. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Baptist Church. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com