Jerry Lee Vandivort

Jerry Lee Vandivort, son of the late Ira and Leona Vandivort, was born on September 25, 1938 in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and passed away on November 26, 2016 in Houston, Missouri. He was 78 years, 2 months, and 1 day of age.

Jerry attended the Oak Grove one-room school house until the 8th grade, and then he attended and graduated from Cabool High School. He then attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

On November 20, 1964, Jerry was united in marriage to Joyce Adkison in Mountain Grove. Then they bought the farm where they raised their family as well as hogs and beef cattle. Two children were born to this union, Jason and Julie. Last Sunday, they had their 52nd wedding anniversary together.

He worked for over 30 years at Brown Shoe Company in both Mountain Grove and Cabool. He worked on the assembly line and then he advanced and became the sewing machine repairman until the closing of Brown Shoe Company.

Jerry owned and operated a dump truck for over 40 years hauling gravel, dirt, and equipment. He enjoyed attending bluegrass jam sessions, farm shows, antique tractor shows, auctions, and telling jokes. He was a member of the Ozark Older Iron Club where he was recently awarded an honorary lifetime membership. Jerry was also a member of the Farm Bureau, First Baptist Church in Cabool, and he was on the board of the Mountain Grove Rural Fire Department.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Ira and Leona Vandivort.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joyce, of their home; his son, Jason, and his wife, Lacy, of Elsberry, Missouri; his daughter, Julie, and her husband, Jared, of Mountain Grove; three grandchildren: Faith Davis (age 7), Jacob Vandivort (age 6), and Lexie Vandivort (age 4); one sister: Joy Case and her husband, Larry, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; and one brother: Bobby Vandivort; as well as nieces, nephews, and many friends who will miss him.


Visitation: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.

Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions: Ozark Older Iron Club in care of the funeral home.