Jerry Bill "J.B." Knudson

Jerome- Jerry Bill "J.B." Knudson, 72, of Jerome, passed away Wednesday September 23, 2015, in Twin Falls, after a 12 year bout with cancer. He was born September 13, 1943, in McLaughlin, South Dakota, the son of Oscar Rudolph Knudson and Elsie (Miller) Knudson. He grew up on a ranch with his parents, sister Sylvia, and brother Don. He graduated from McLaughlin High School in 1961. He attended the Aberdeen School of Commerce in 1961 & 62, where he met and later married Mary Ann Allery. They had a daughter, Diane Marie, in 1964, and adopted a son, Jay James, in 1968. They made their home in Aberdeen, SD where J.B. worked in sales. In 1968 they moved to McLaughlin, SD where J.B. farmed and he and Mary Ann owned and operated the J Bar M Western Store. They moved the store to Spearfish in 1971, expanded their clothing store to include general merchandise, and re-named it "Knudson's." In 1984, J.B. and Mary Ann were divorced.

J.B. made his career as a business owner, salesman, and auctioneer. He had an auction business, "The Auction Exchange," and he sold anything from estate sales to farm equipment. He said once the most unusual thing he ever sold was several thousand pounds of tuna from a boat in Alaska. He married Judy Race and they settled in Jerome, Idaho.  He taught himself how to make and repair jewelry, and sold it in his Adobe Jewelry store.

J.B. was a long-time member of the Twin Falls Masonic Lodge No. 45 AF & AM, Spearfish Lodge No. 18 AF & AM in Spearfish, South Dakota, a 32 ^nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. He was also a member of the Snake River Elks Lodge for several years and served as their Chaplain for many years. As long as his health permitted, he served as the auctioneer for Twin Falls Masonic Lodge No. 45 AF & AM, Snake River Elks Lodge, Hospice and Hospital fundraising activities. He loved classic cars, watching old westerns on T.V., and going fishing.

He enjoyed going out for a good steak and a baked potato with his close friends, Jim and Helen Hensley. His favorite meal was without question Lobster, any way you wanted to prepare it. He had a soft spot in heart for little dogs and over time he adopted Jocey, Tiffy, and Jiggy. He was always helping people in need.

J.B. is survived by his children; Diane, Jay (Joan), his granddaughter Andrea, his sister, Sylvia Shevlin, his nephew Todd (Phoon), his sister-in-law Barb Knudson, his nieces Janet Nelson and Kelly Kraft (Vern). He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Don, and second wife Judy.

In lieu of flowers, J.B.'s family suggests that memorials be made in his memory to: Shriners Hospitals for Children, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103.

Memorial services will be conducted at 2:00 PM , Saturday October 24, 2015 , at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 South Lincoln Avenue, Jerome, Idaho. www.farnsworthmortuary.com