Jerry A. Stickrod, 76 of Sioux City, died Friday, October 27, 2017 at his residence. Funeral Service will be held 6:00pm Thursday, November 2, 2017 with a visitation from 5-7pm with family present at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery in Grandview, Iowa on Friday, November 3, 2017 at 4:00pm, with Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force. A celebration of life will following at Island United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 2598 Stuart Road, Muscatine, IA.

Jerry A. Stickrod was born August 29, 1941 in Muscatine, Iowa the son of Kirk and Bertha (Atkins) Stickrod. He graduated from Louisa Muscatine High School in 1960. From 1961-1965 he served in the US Air Force. He later graduated from West Texas State University became a teacher of special education and elementary education at various schools in rural Texas and later in Sioux City, Iowa. His students knew him as both teacher and friend—big-hearted, playful, and invested in them unconditionally.

Jerry spent hours of his early and middle years fishing on the Mississippi River, and later with his sons in Oklahoma. He knew his way around catfish and crawdads and homegrown tomatoes better than most. He loved classic cars, John Wayne, pranks, stories, coin collecting, Christmas ornaments, but he especially loved animals and children, of which loved him back with equal exuberance. Without fail, he seemed to be every dog’s favorite visitor. He once tamed a squirrel that would follow him from the backyard into his living room to take pecans from his outstretched hand. Children adored him too. Any kid in Jerry’s life heard the words, “Come to Papa!” early and often and when they did they were held and hugged and sang to. When those same children grew older Jerry was ready with spending cash, a jumpstart, a place to crash, and a sympathetic ear.

He found delight in simple things—a good song, an old coin, a warm grilled cheese—but most especially in people. Because of that, everyone who knew Jerry felt accepted and adored. He was a big presence with a trove of stories, an easy laugh and a huge heart. He’ll be missed dearly.

Jerry is survived by his wife Julie Stickrod, with whom he nearly perfected the Texas two-step. His absence will be felt by his seven children, David Stickrod and his wife Christine of Amarillo, TX, Thomas Stickrod and his wife Michelle, of Amarillo, TX, Kirk Stickrod of Amarillo, and Laurie Stickrod of Amarillo, Kristina Ruby, of Keller, TX, Jennifer Hicks and her husband Bill, of St. Paul, Amy Delaney and her husband Charlie, of Dakota Dunes, SD. Jerry was the proud Papa to thirteen grandchildren: Christopher, Melody, Nathan Jake, Mackenzie, Bailey, Kennedy, Taylor, Riley, Max, Elle, Elliot and Oliver, and two great grandchildren; his brother William Stickrod and wife Diana of Grandview, IA, Judith Buster, of Eustace, TX, many nieces and nephews, and his cherished former wife, Anna Stickrod.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his Uncle, Ray.

Memorials in his name can be directed either to STARS (www.scstars.org), which provides animal therapy for children with disabilities or by completing an act of kindness in Jerry’s name.