Gerald Telford

Gerald (Jerry) Edward Telford was born March 31, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Samuel and Julia Telford. He was the youngest of eight children. He was called to his Heavenly home by his precious Lord Jesus Christ on April 18, 2012 at the age of 87.

He started working at a very young age to help support the family, and he worked various jobs including pin setting at a bowling alley and working as a bellhop at a hotel. He volunteered for military service during World War II but was physically ineligible. He contributed to the war effort as a civilian clerk at an atomic research facility in Washington state and also worked at an ammunition plant in Ankeny, Iowa. His lifelong career started after graduating from barber college in 1964. He worked many years at Urbandale Barber Shop in Urbandale, Iowa and also later in Branson, Missouri. He also became a Roffler men’s hair stylist. He served as a volunteer fireman for Urbandale, Iowa beginning in1962 and retiring in 1977 after a heart attack. During that time, he also became a certified emergency medical technician as a member of the ambulance crew. Jerry also enjoyed his membership in the Des Moines Chapter of Toastmasters International and also as a member of the booster club for the Urbandale Jay Hawks football team.

He accepted Christ Jesus as his Lord and Savior on February 19, 1964, and on the same day was delivered from alcoholism, never desiring to drink again. God also gave him immediate victory over many years of smoking. He was a charter member of Urbandale Baptist Church and was instrumental in the purchase of land for the first building from his sister Leola, who was later saved at the church. He enthusiastically served his Lord as a greeter and usher as long as he was physically able. In his younger years, he also served as a children's AWANA Club leader at Urbandale Baptist Church.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and all his siblings and his first wife. He married Caryl Kristianson in 1968, and they had one son, Samuel Edward Telford. Jerry’s survivors include his wife Caryl, a daughter Susan Lawless in Des Moines, Iowa and her two children, Michael Beem in Des Moines and daughter Connie Kew in Boone, Iowa, Jerry’s son Samuel and wife Haley of Highlandville and their children, Joshua and Anna. In addition, he is survived by four great-grandchildren, a great great granddaughter and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned at Cherry Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO at 4 p.m. Saturday April 28, 2012. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in his memory to Cherry Street’s building fund is suggested.