Jerry William Burch

Jerry William Burch, 75, was born on Sept. 18, 1945, in Nevada, Mo., to Gladys Jewell (Simmons) Burch and Charles Thomas "Bill" Burch of Harwood, Mo. He passed away from heart failure on June 11, 2021.

Jerry spent his early years living on a farm near Harwood. He enjoyed spending time with his sister, Saundra, who bought him his first bicycle. He listened to the St. Louis Cardinals on the radio with his Grandma Simmons. She also taught him to play checkers but would only let him win fair and square. He collected baseball cards, spent time combing the creek banks on their farm and spent time with his buddies in Harwood. He attended school at Walker, Nevada and Schell City where he excelled in basketball, baseball and softball. He graduated as a Schell City Bear in 1963.

In 1962, he met and courted Jenise Kennedy. After his graduation in 1963, the two wed, beginning a long and loving marriage of 57 years. Jerry worked at Cole's Clothing Store and then Farm & Home Savings & Loan before he and Jenise entered Southwest Missouri State College in 1966. There Jerry earned a double major with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Agriculture in 1970.

Jerry & Jenise moved home to Walker where Jerry taught Junior High Science and Physical Education, coaching football, basketball and baseball at El Dorado Springs Public Schools for three years and helped both his and Jenise's parents with the family farms.

In 1972, Jerry & Jenise welcomed their first child, a son Jered Kennedy and welcomed daughter Laura Lorene in 1975.

In 1973, Jerry became the opening manager of Verco Sporting Goods in Nevada. In 1978, with encouragement from Hayden Morgan, he ran for election to the Missouri House of Representatives. He served as representative for Vernon, Bates and Barton counties until 1990. During that time, he held the leadership position of Majority Whip, served as chairman of the Critical Decision Committee, and served on the Appropriations, Agriculture, Property Classification, and Accounts Committees. Jerry was instrumental in passing legislation developing the Soil Conservation Tax Program, MO Bucks for Farmers, and the name change for Missouri State University as well as the establishment of Prairie State Park and Osage Village State Historic Site. During his tenure, he received numerous Outstanding Legislator Awards from various organizations.

One of Jerry’s most enjoyable hobbies was playing fast pitch softball. He spent many seasons pitching for area teams, Empire Bank from Springfield, Producers Grain from El Dorado Springs and Verco Sporting Goods from Nevada. There he made lifelong friends with his teammates and shared experiences at numerous state tournaments.

For 40 years, Jerry balanced his responsibilities in Jefferson City with the family farming operation which he took over in 1983. He served his constituency with dignity and pride, always focused on building his community. In 1990, Jerry opened a successful government consulting firm, Burch & Associates in Jefferson City which he continued until his retirement in 2019. Jerry continued to build relationships with Missouri businesses and citizens, bringing positive economic growth and structure throughout the state. He was well-known in Jefferson City and throughout the state for his integrity and ability to work with politicians and constituents from every walk of life.

Jerry enjoyed hosting gatherings at his home, including the annual Kennedy Family reunion, SuperBowl and New Year's Eve Pitch Parties. He could be seen cheering on his beloved St Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. Jerry was a Mason of the Walker Lodge 605 and later Osage Lodge 303 and a member of the Walker Christian Church. Jerry had a keen eye for antiques and enjoyed decorating with them. Jerry was a constant in the lives of his children and grandchildren, always supporting their activities and dreams.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Jenise, his son, Jered Burch (Crystal) of Walker, daughter, Laura Willson of Justin, Texas, one granddaughter, Kate Burch, and four grandsons, Cole Burch, Jackson Willson, Reid Willson, and Jace Burch; numerous cousins, and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Saundra Sue Burch McCollum, and his in-laws, Raymond and Helen Kennedy.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, June 17, at the Nevada United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Newton Burial Park. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 16, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada.

Memorials are suggested to the Schell City Alumni Scholarship, or the Vernon County 4-H GROW program or the Vernon County Youth Fair and may be made in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, Mo.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.