Jerry Callen

Jerome- Jerry Ray Callen, Sr., 84, of Jerome, entered into eternal life on September 17, 2016, peacefully, with his family at his side, after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma Cancer.

Jerry was born in Wendell, Idaho on February 27, 1932, to Tom Callen and Fern O’Harrow Callen, and grew up on the “Home Place” southwest of Jerome, which he later owned and farmed until his death.   He learned many life lessons growing up on the farm as the youngest of his siblings: Blanche, Gib, Tommy, Doc, and Joy.

He attended Appleton School west of Jerome, graduated from Jerome High School in 1950, and then attended ISU and was the star center on their football team his freshman year.

He married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Boyd, on December 30, 1951, and then joined the Navy during the Korean War and served for a time on the Fleet Admiral’s ship in the Pacific.  Afterwards, Jerry and Pat settled down to farm and raise their five children, Jerry Jr., Sandra, Tim, Greg, and Melonie.  He later formed Triple C Farms with his sons Jerry and Tim and grew corn, wheat, potatoes, and alfalfa.  He also raised fat beef and was inducted into the Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame in 1996.

Jerry enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participate in sports, 4-H, music, speech, drama, and dance and was immensely proud of them.  He was a lifelong Booster of Jerome and Valley sports, member and chairman of the Jerome School Board, and served in the Idaho State Legislature (1984-1988).  He loved to travel, snow ski, water ski and camp at Alturas Lake with his family, and enjoyed his cabin at Smiley Creek the last 20 years.

On June 20, 2015, Jerry entered into the waters of baptism and “officially” became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, even though he had attended the LDS church for the last 46 years.  On July 19, 2016, he was sealed to his sweet wife of 64 years, Patricia, and their five children, for time and all eternity in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple where he became patriarch of a Grand Celestial Family.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Patricia and their five children, Jerry (Marlene) Callen, Sandra (Dennis) Capps, Timothy (Gayelynn) Callen, Gregory (Lisa) Callen, and Melonie (Mark) Swenson, all of Jerome County; 32 Grandchildren, 62 Great-Grandchildren; one sister, Blanche Peters; and many extended family members and friends.  Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Gilbert, Tommy and Doc; his sister, Joy Stringham; and step great-granddaughter, Chelsea Hamblin.

A visitation will be held Tuesday evening, September 20, 2016, at Farnsworth Mortuary Chapel, 1343 South Lincoln, Jerome, where family and friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. , Wednesday September 21, 2016, in the Jerome Idaho LDS Stake Center chapel at 26 North, 100 East, Jerome, with Bishop Jerry Callen, Jr. officiating.  A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow at the Jerome Cemetery.