Jerrard Christopher “JC” Widdicombe was born February 6, 1989 in Ronan MT. He was raised by his parents Randy and Angela (WhiteCrane) Widdicombe. When JC was younger he attended school at St. Labre before moving to Missoula where he graduated from Big Sky High School in 2007. Shortly after high school JC joined the United States Army in January of 2009. JC successfully completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) at Ft. Benning, GA. He was stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington with the 182nd Airborne 2nd Battalion. JC had two deployments as an Airborne Army Ranger to Afghanistan where he received the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Campaign Star, Army commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Parachutist Badge. He was honorably discharged on July 29, 2011. After his 2nd deployment JC struggled with PTSD until the time of his passing.
JC enjoyed being physically active including working out, wrestling, hunting, fishing and any outdoor activity. He also was an avid reader, wickedly intelligent, hilarious, and a movie maniac. JC always wanted to help youth. Before joining the Army, he coached wrestling for Target Range and truly enjoyed building the love of a sport in his youth, one of his students he mentored became a State Champion. He felt honored when he was able to help someone. His passion in life, was his family, spending time with his loved ones brought a twinkle to his beautiful green eyes. The best words to describe JC are generous, modest and loyal, if you entered his heart, you would remain there forever.
He was survived by his parents, Angela & Randy; his siblings Donny, Nick, Mariah & Talonna; his grandparents, Winslow & Charlotte Whitecrane, Sam & Nancy Widdicombe, Mike and Karen Scott, and great-grandmother Edna Seminole; his aunts & uncles Michelle Whitecrane, Deanna Whitecrane, Isaiah Whitecrane, Glen & Judy Ivory, Jamie & Kim Olson, Sam & Kathy Widdicombe, John & Mary Harrison; great aunts & uncles Michael Foote, Vincent (& Clara) Whitecrane, Connie Whitecrane, Eva Foote, Verlin Foote, Fritz Neighbor, Diane (& Bob) Jones, Nadine Neighbor, Norine Neighbor, Charlie (& Jeannie) Widdicombe, Joe (& Khiedi) Widdicombe, Francis and Vonda Limpy, Major and Michelle Robinson, Sandy & Zane Limpy, Charleen Robinson, Ernie and MaryJane Robinson; and numerous other cousins in the Mason, Brien, Robinson, Whitecrane, Wolcott, Wolf Black, Spotted Elk, Olson, Ivory, and Harrison families. He was preceeded in death by his grandmother Mary Lou Robinson Whitecrane, and his uncle Dean Robinson, Bee and Stella Robinson. The family would like to extend appreciation to family & loved ones for their support.
Traditional Wake will be Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the St. Labre Mission. Funeral Services will be Friday, January 17, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the St. Labre Mission. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in the Robinson Family Cemetery in Ashland. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is assisting the family with these arrangements and condolences may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following Services
Friday January 17, 2014
Robinson Family Cemetery
Ashland, MT 59003
Luncheon
Following Graveside Services
Friday January 17, 2014
St. Labre Cafeteria
Ashland, MT 59003
Service Schedule
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following Services
Friday January 17, 2014
Robinson Family Cemetery
Ashland, MT 59003
Luncheon
Following Graveside Services
Friday January 17, 2014
St. Labre Cafeteria
Ashland, MT 59003
Mimi Nickel says
So very sorry for your loss. Praying for family & his friends.
Mimi
Melvin Denny says
We’re all so sorry to hear about your lost. Your in our thoughts and prayers.
Julie J Eagle says
TO THE FAMILY OF GERARD: MAY YOU BE COMFORTED WITH MUCH LOVE AND MANY MANY BLESSINGS. MAY HE REST IN PEACE AND WATCH OVER HIS FAMILY.
Jack & Kim Knobloch says
Angela,
So sorry to hear about you loss, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with you and your family at such a difficult time. Sending prayers.
Tom and Shelley Andres says
JC was a special young man and holds a warm place in many peoples hearts. Rest in peace. Sending prayers to all JC’s friends and family during this very difficult time.
Mike Murphy says
So sorry to hear about your loss. Sending prayers to all JC’s friends and family.
Kathy & Sam Widdicombe says
We love you & miss you JC. We will honor your life by keeping your spirit alive in our thoughts & actions. Walker-Dog sends slobbery kisses & hugs! We are praying for strength for Angela, Randy, Donny, Nick & Mariah. Love always, Sam, Kathy & girls.
Myra Fisher says
Angela, I’m so sorry May God Bless you & keep you. Time’s like these are rough and hard to understand. But God made a promise to never leave us nor forsake us.. Believe in him and he will show us the way.. Till we meet again JC. Go with God & peace be with you.
Bobby Cruce says
Randy and Angela I cannot even begin to imagine what you’re going through and how difficult all this must be for you. I know that no words can help ease the pain or loss. Please know that I will be praying for you and your family.
Jenna Wilson says
My thoughts and prayers are with JC’s friends and family. JC had a beautiful soul and he is with God now. May God comfort your spirits during this difficult time and heal your hearts. Thank you for your brave service to our Country, JC!
Joe Wulfekuhle says
To the family and friends, my thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you all. If you need anything, please feel free to call me.
Nick and Annie Lester says
Thoughts and prayers for this very difficult time. God bless…stay strong.
Jeff Lloyd says
My sincerest prayers are with you all at the loss of JC. Your LE family is here for you. May God grant you peace and give rest to JC.
Kelly Stevenson says
I am sorry for your loss, Your in my prayers I will always remember JC as that sweet little boy a long time ago.
Jamie Merifield says
Randy and Angela – I know that there are no words right now that can bring comfort but please know that there are many, many thoughts and prayers coming your way. We are here for you if you need anything.
Nicole pifari says
Randy and Angela:
I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending you lots of strength and courage.
Connie Bogner says
Randy and Angela, Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God grant you the peace and comfort that only He can give. Thank you JC for your service to our country, we are so indebted to you and your family. With love.
Tessa Johnson says
My thoughts and love go out to Angela, and all family and friends of JC. I am grateful I got the chance to get to know JC even the small bit that I did. Thank you to JC for his service to our country.
Bill and Katie Tatum says
Our prayers go out to all of JC’s family and friends. My you find peace and comfort as you carry on.
Barbara Nelson says
So sorry for the loss your family has experienced. JC was a great young man, I so enjoyed watching him wrestle in middle school and high school. He was always such a kind, respectful young man. I’m honored to have been his Dean at Big Sky. He will be missed. Mrs. Nelson
VeAnn Martz says
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son, JC. Thoughts and prayers to all of you. May you share and remember many wonderful memories of a son and brother who left this world too soon.
Tia Fighting Bear says
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time…..so sorry for your loss…may you find peace and comfort.
Steve and Connie McAdam says
Angela, We are so sorry to learn of your loss. We can’t pretend to know what you are going through, but our hearts hurt for you and your family. We are praying for you and yours, and we know god can heal your pain. God bless you and thank you for all you did for Eric and Cheri and for us when you were their social worker. Also thank you to JC for his service to our country.
Miriam Morgan says
Randy, Angela and family,
Many hearts join with yours at this time … I remember JC as a lively, friendly boy and will hold that memory as I accept the sorrow of his passing. Please know that you all are held in a deep nest of love and care.
Theresa Conley says
Angela, my heart goes out to you at this time. You, your family and the world have lost a wonderful, kind and loving young man! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Georgia Ann Burns says
Angela, I just found out, the bad news. You and your family are in my prayers. I will continue to pray for you, it is a terrible thing to lose a child. No one knows the utter despair and saddeness it brings. Angela, I will pray for comfort for you and your husband and children! I am unable to make it for the services. Sending love your way!
Steve and Kirsti Brester says
Our prayers and thoughts go out to the entire family. JC will truly be missed in this world. We know how much he was loved and how proud Randy and Angela were of this special young man.
Our hearts are hurting and we continue to pray for your family.
We are always here for you if you need anything…
Lynda Jacobson says
Angela and Family, so very sorry for your loss…Be proud and remember JC, time does not take away the pain…but it retreats with every happy memory. Serving this country is a generous gift he gave to all of America. Prayers to you all.
Lynda
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Jerrard Christopher Widdicombe – I am sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in many great memories of “JC” at this difficult time. God has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). Also we are promised the resurrection of dear family members and friends that we have lost (John 5:28-29). The promise of Paradise, the perfect conditions God intended for mankind in the Garden of Eden will be fulfilled including God’s “will being done as in Heaven also upon Earth” (Matthew 6:9, 10). I hope you are comforted by these Bible promises of a hopeful future. (John 17:3).
Cindy Miller & Danette Wollersheim says
Angela, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Know that we are holding you in our hearts.
Quamme Family says
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Shanie says
With deepest Sympathy for your loss. Thank you young man for your Service to America.
Annie Houtchens says
Randy, Angela, Donny ,Nick, Mariah, and Talonna,
My heart hurts for each one of you. JC spirit will live on in you in a very special way. Through his laugh, twinkling eyes, compassion, love of nature, and strength. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love forever, Annie
Lyle Loftus and Michael Walker says
So sorry for your loss he was such a great guy we both enjoyed watching him wrestle with us go eagles
M & S says
We were sorry to read of the loss of one so young. May “the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3) be with you at this time.
Jenn Williams, RN Case Manager says
I am very sorry for your loss. JC worked in the OEF/OIF office at Fort Harrison for several weeks. It was a pleasure to get to know him during this time. I am grateful for his service to our country. So sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Marcy Steffy says
Angela & family, We are praying for you and your family through all of this.
Phay Lloyd says
Angela and family,
JC worked in the OEF/OIF Office meeting the needs of returning Veterans. We could not have done the job without him. We enjoyed his smile, his friendship and his energy. We were very sad when he told us that he was moving back to Missoula. We let him know that he was welcome to return at a moments notice. Please let us know if we can be of assistance in any way and please feel free to call and visit if you need someone to listen x7665. My prayers are with you and your family.
Francie Hasbrouck says
I am so very sorry for your tragic loss! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers
Jerri Kettman says
Angela and family,
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family. So sorry for your loss.
Dan Haffey says
I am so sorry for your loss. Jerrard is an example of a real American hero. May God hold him in the palm of his hand and may he rest in peace.
Natalie Flores says
Angela and Family, I am so sorry for your loss of a wonderful young man, it is wonderful that he left such a huge mark on the world before he left. Prayers and blessings for you all <3
Jean Woessner says
Angela, Randy, Mariah and all the family,
Such a heart-rending loss for you all and for the world. I have been thinking of you all these past few weeks and will continue to hold you in my heart, as JC is now held in the heart of God.
Peace to you all.
Mike Sloan says
Dear Randy, Angela, Donny, Nick, and Family,
We just found out about JC today. My heart goes out to you all. JC was a special person who held a special place in my heart and you were truly my favorite family. I have the picture that JC and Donny gave me downstairs in my weight room and I look at it every day.
If there’s anything I can do, please call me: 926-1003. I would like to come by sometime to see you all but I don’t want to disturb you.
I hope to hear from you soon.
With love, your friend Mike Sloan
Jake Smith says
Angela, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Jerrard. I worked closely with him while he was in Ft. Lewis. I was emensely saddened to learn of his passing. If you would like, I would really appreciate it if you could contact me on my personal email address. My sincerest condolences to your family.
Mary Jane Robinson says
Angela.
Anniversaries like this are so very hard, the pain and loneliness feel intensified instead of lessening. I miss JC~the boy, the man and the soldier very much and can only ache and cry with you. I hope that you feel all the love and admiration that we all have for you and your family. The only stories that come to mind right now mostly start with: Magen called home…
1. crying
2. laughing
3. hysterical
Always there was some adventure, misadventure, mishap, drama or wee incident.
The Cast:
The mastermind ~JC
The innocent (yeah right)~ Donny
The red herring ~ Nick calmly playing alongside but not yet fully engaged in any wrong doing only because he was so young.
Luckily Mariah wasn’t yet born as she would most likely been known as the patsy.
Each and every one of those calls were priceless, every story told and retold. Growing in daring and skulduggery and hilarity. They are LEGEND.
We all feel so very helpless, unable to go back to those wonderful, innocent days. I can offer only love and my shoulder. Love to you and your family Angela.
mariah says
I love jc so much and it means so much to me that you would take the time to right such nice comments. Thank you so much.