Jerre A. Church

A Wakeup La Junta Memorial Service will be Saturday, April 7, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. at the Otero Junuir College Student Center.

Jerre Church, loving father to Jeff, loving husband to Jan, was born in Rocky Ford, but grew up in La Junta, Colorado. In his 77 years, he was always an unofficial ambassador for La Junta, the little city that he loved.

Jerre was in the advertising department of the La Junta Tribune Democrat for 39 years, retiring Friday, December 30, 2006, but joking for several years with Publisher, Candi Hill and Ardeth Sneath that he still went on working there. Jerre grew up working with his family in the McKenzie Music and Furniture Store.

An avid sports participant at La Junta High School, Jerre enjoyed the fact that he played on the state winner football team under Coach Tate the fall of 1951, went to state in track that spring of 1952, winning the state track 100 and 220 track events, then continuing track for the University of Colorado-Boulder.

After his graduation at CU, Jerre went to Officer Naval Training, was stationed on the USS Conserver (Seventh Fleet) out of Pearl Harbor, and later transferred to Fleet Training in Yokosuka, Japan as a Lt. JG before returning to La Junta in early 1960.

He was one of the original appointees to the Urban Renewal Authority Board and then served as chairman for many years. He served on the La Junta Board of Utility Commissioners and as assistant secretary of the Arkansas River Power Authority, served on the La Junta Chamber of Commerce board of directors and was one of the organizers of the Wake Up La Junta breakfasts, and served as chairman for many years. He liked being one of the behind-the-scenes organizers when the La Junta Association for Downtown Development was formed. Of course, one of his fond activities was to remain active in the La Junta Quarterback Club, having served as president. He enjoyed being a volunteer timer at Tiger Field track meets like the Tiger Relays. He was a member of the La Junta Rotary Club.

When Howard Poteet presented the La Junta Community Service Award to Jerre on Tuesday, January 29, 1991, he paid tribute to Jerre's son and their partnerships. Howard said, "And every year since son Jeff founded Children's Theatre in 1974, Jerre has been a 'key consultant' on each summer production and now Jeff is a nationally recognized figure in the children's theater world."

Jerre's "mom and pop", Mabel and Bud Church, are deceased. Survivors include wife Jan of the home, son Jeff, Kansas City, Mo; cousin Frank McKenzie, La Junta; cousin, Coralea McKenzie, Rocky Ford; sister-and brother-in law Dr. & Mrs. Bill Mehos, Salida; nieces Mindy O'Connor & sons Ryan and Eric, Salida; and Missy and Justin Tanner and children, Mitchell and Elise, Salida; cousins Kay & Roger Bill, Salida; brother and sister in law Dr. and Mrs. Don Hagerman and children, Donald, Denise and Dawn Lee, Phoenix; cousins, the Knapp families, Rocky Ford; cousins the Holder families, Rocky Ford, cousins Ann and Don Coker and daughters, Linda and Debby; childhood friend "like-a- brother Bud Cutrell (Sharon); La Junta friend like-a-brother Evan Gamboa (Pat); Naoko Oyabu-Mathis (Jim Connor), and Jerre's abundant, dear and wonderful family friends.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.



In lieu of flowers a memorial donation can be made to Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center, c/o the Administration, 1100 Carson Ave., La Junta, CO, 81050 or to a charity of choice.