With the Lord taking his hand, Harold passed away at the ripe ol’ age of 92.
He was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the 7th child of Jesse and Mary Jerrel. In 1927 the family of ten made their journey to Knowlton, Montana to homestead and raise their family.
It only took 20 days to get there. Later they homesteaded at Bonfield, Montana, where two more siblings were born. It was there the family heard of a terrible crash that was the worst train accident in U.S. history; the Custer Creek train derailment of 1938.
He always joked that he got kicked out of first grade for not shaving but he actually earned his diploma in 1940 from Kinsey School. After that he worked as a farmhand and helped build the Yellowtail Dam.
In April of 1945 he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army stationed in Okinawa. Later he started Harold Jerrel Trucking and hauled just about anything.
In 1961 he married Alyce Ross and inherited a daughter Karla Ross (Allison). They had three more children, Debbie Jerrel, Joe Jerrel and Amy Jerrel (Fox). They later divorced.
After retiring from trucking he found his little oasis in Martinsdale, Montana where he enjoyed fishing, camping, and playing the mandolin.
In 2012 he moved to Miles City to be closer to his family. He loved telling his stories and jokes to his grandchildren Noel and Maggi Allison, Lacee (Branden) Watts, and LaManda Jerrel and great grandchildren Paris Allison, Ruby Kuester and Kaiden and Gaven Watts.
He is survived by his family and one brother Raymond (Peg) Jerrel.
As the sodbuster would say, “I’m out of the wind, till we meet again.” He was beloved by all and will be greatly missed.
Military services will be held at the Veterans Cemetery in Miles City on Monday, May 15th at 10:00 a.m. with full military honors.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
10:00 a.m.
Monday May 15, 2017
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, MT
Service Schedule
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
10:00 a.m.
Monday May 15, 2017
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, MT
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Martha Crandall says
my sympathy
Jim and Ann Willson says
Raymond; we are sorry to hear about Harold’s passing away. Ann and I hope you are doing fine after your surgery. Please take care and may God Bless you and Peggy. From One of your “Old Truck Drivers”
Jim and Ann Willson
Bonnie Jerrel Beyers says
Uncle Harold was such a great character. He lived fishing a nd had many stories to tell about his expeditions at Martin scale. He had been an avid reader of Lois Lenore western books. He also liked tinkering around making things like bird houses etc. for loved ones. I will miss him very much.
Bonnie Jerrel Beyers says
He loved fishing, Lois Lemore books…..darn auto correct!
Richard E Meidinger says
Sorry to hear of Harolds passing. May he rest in peace.
The family is in our thoughts and prayers. Linda and RIchard
Mary Bagley says
So sorry to hear of your loss of Harold. He had always been a good neighbor. You are all in my prayers.
Beverly Austin says
We are sorry to hear about Harold! We are so glad we made our trip out to Miles City last summer. It was great to hear some of his stories. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. He was very proud of you all. We really enjoyed having him play his mandoline for us. We could tell he enjoyed playing so much. He had a good life!
God Bless you All!
My thoughts are with you all!
Bev Austin
Jessie Beehler says
Deb, Amy, Lamanda and all of Harold’s family:
My sympathies to you all. Harold was a great joy to be around and always lifted my spirits!! He had a contagious laugh and mischievous smile!! May your fond memories bring you joy and peace in your times of grief and sorrow! Rest in peace “my boyfriend”!!
Barb Muckle Schmidt says
We will miss our Uncle Harold. It was so fun to hear his stories last summer and his great mandolin playing. He was a great letter writer, my Mom always enjoyed his letters. You are all in our prayers and our thoughts.. Love to all❤❤❤❤??
Amy Fox says
Thank you all , He was a great man & lived a great life. To dad’s girlfriend , Jessie your a hoot of a nurse, he ❤ you & all the nurses, he had more than one girlfiend by the time of departure ❣❣❣
Deb Jerrel says
Today is your birthday pops…you would been 94!!! We miss you terribly but will see you again…
Deb Jerrel says
Gone 6 years today. Oh how I miss you Dad..💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔😭
Debbie Jerrel says
Today is August 29th , 2023 . Happy 98th birthday today Dad. It doesn’t get much easier throughout the years..💔😥💔
Deb Jerrel says
99 today Papa…. happy birthday😳😭💔❣️🙏