Jerry Lee Catterall
About:
Jerry Lee Catterall was born in Sheridan, Wyoming on August 10, 1938, to parents Charles Catterall and Audrey Scott Catterall and he called this area home his entire life.
Jerry attended schools in Sheridan and after high school enlisted in the United States Air Force where he traveled extensively throughout Europe working in communications. At the end of his enlistment, he extended his term an additional four years through the reserves. Until his final days, he reminisced about time spent in the military, his travels, and the friends made.
Upon his return to Sheridan, he met and married Janet Garland of Big Horn, Wyoming. They made Big Horn their home and had two daughters: Jona Horner, and Jody Schmidt, both of whom still make their homes in Big Horn. Jerry and Janet were married 64 years. They relished celebrating their 60th anniversary with family and close friends – the Griffith Family.
Jerry was employed by Montana Dakota Utilities Company in Sheridan for 43 years working in the electrical department. He never traveled a road or highway without monitoring power lines and electrical connections.
Growing up in and around the Big Horn Mountains contributed to a special calling for Jerry as he loved to hunt elk in the fall; snowmobile in the winter; backpack to the mountain lakes, and fish in the summer. The family built their original cabin on Stumpy Ridge on Red Grade in the mountains and together they enjoyed outdoor sports and the warmth and love of their mountain home. When the cabin was destroyed during the Red Grade Fire in 2007, a replacement was immediately rebuilt for the enjoyment of the family.
While Jerry's children and grandchildren were growing up and attending school at Big Horn, he attended and enjoyed their various sports activities with great pride and enthusiasm.
He waited anxiously for each event and could be found in his normal seat in the grandstands. The girls still talk frequently about how he could be heard coaching from the sidelines above the crowd noise and their actual coaches.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janet Catterall. He is also survived by his daughters; Jona Horner (Duane) and Jody Schmidt; and granddaughters Kristen Schaefer (Zack); and Kendall Horner; Samantha Ehardt (Andrew) and Sydney Schmidt (fiance Connor Shopp); and great granddaughters: Alaina Schaefer; Malia Schaefer; Emersyn Schaefer; and Sloane Ehardt. His sons-in-law Duane and Rod were greatly admired by Jerry as well as several nephews, and he spoke of them often.
Later in life, Jerry was blessed by the union of his oldest daughter, Jenny, and her husband Jim Nealey. In the years to follow, he was given a grandson with Josh and later great grandsons with Josh's boys.
He was predeceased by his parents, his son-in-law, Rodney Schmidt; and his three siblings, Wilfred Catterall; Charlene Trujillo; and Marilyn "June" Sturtz. He was also predeceased by a brother-in-law and cherished friend, Stanley Schanaman.
Graveside services with military honors will be held on August 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Elk's section of the Sheridan Municipal cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sheridan Memorial Hospital who took such wonderful care of Jerry in his final days.
Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.
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