Gerald "Jerry" Comstock

Jerry D. Comstock, son of Clara (Tasler) and Melvin Comstock, was born on November 6, 1930 in Peru, Nebraska.  Jerry had two siblings who preceded him in death:  his sister Mary Jane (Comstock) Tanner and his brother, Clair Comstock.

Jerry excelled at football and basketball and graduated from High School in Peru.  Jerry then commenced college at Peru State and played on the football team; but because the Korean War was ensuing, Jerry’s college time got cut short.  Jerry served four years in the Air Force and was stationed in Korea; ending up on the same island as his brother, Clair.  While home on leave, Jerry met DeVee Reber, and they were united in marriage on December 19, 1953.  The couple moved to Topeka, Kansas and Dee taught elementary school while Jerry finished out his four-year term in the military.  The couple then returned to Peru and Jerry completed his education, ultimately attaining his Master’s Degree.  The couple were married for over 52 years, until Dee’s death in 2005.  They had two daughters and three grandchildren, all of whom they doted upon.

Jerry’s early career was spent teaching High School and coaching.  However, after Jerry’s wife became deathly ill from encephalitis (a mosquito-borne illness) and could no longer continue in her teaching profession, Jerry changed careers to make ends meet and became an entrepreneur.  Jerry successfully started, ran and sold numerous businesses in the Omaha area.  Jerry and his family moved from Ralston to Ashland, Nebraska where he and Dee lived on an acreage for over 30 years.  Jerry purchased farm ground on what was then a totally undeveloped cloverleaf at the I-80 and Highway 31 interchange in Gretna, and single-handedly persuaded Flying J to build a travel plaza on his land which kicked off further development of the area.  As his retirement hobby, Jerry trained and raised Thoroughbred race horses.  Jerry suffered from poor health the last 6 years and passed into the arms of our Lord on October 8, 2019.   Jerry was a success in all that he did, and he will be greatly missed.

Jerry is survived by his daughters, Traci Comstock (Kyle Heyen) and Heidi Michalski (Jon); his grandchildren, Emma Heyen, Kayla and Cade Michalski; his nieces and nephews (Gregg Tanner, Joe Comstock, John Comstock, Terry Decker, Hans Henning, Gary Reber and Mark Reber), and his lifelong friends, Marianne and Fred Applegate.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 14, 2019 at the Hall Funeral Chapel 707 15th Street, Auburn, Nebraska, with Pastor Richard Bristol officiating.  

Family will greet friends from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, October 13, 2019 at the Hall Funeral Chapel, Auburn, Nebraska.

Inurnment will be in the Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Peru, Nebraska with military honors.

Condolences can be shared online at www.hallfuneral.net.

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