Jerry Jacobson, 83, of Idaho Falls, passed away December 15, 2014, at Morningstar Senior Living Center.

Jerry was born December 25, 1930, in Rigby, Idaho, to Andrew Moroni Jacobsen and Mary Alice Thompson Jacobsen. He grew up and attended schools in Rigby and graduated from Rigby High School. He also attended the University of Idaho, where he earned his Bachelors and Master’s degrees.

He served as a Captain in the U. S. Army from 1953-1956 and in the 145th Engineering Group of the Army National Guard for five years following his active duty.

On May 15, 1954, he married Carol Ellen Petersen at Payette, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They made their home for a year in Pocatello. He was hired in 1955 as a sixth-grade teacher at Central Intermediate School in Idaho Falls. He was principal at New Sweden, East Side, and Dora Erickson Elementary Schools and assistant principal at Clair E. Gale Jr. High. In 1968 he became Director of Education and was named Assistant Superintendent at School District #91 in 1977. In 1981 he became the Superintendent of Schools for fifteen years, for a total of 38 years in District #91. Carol passed away September 23, 1999.

An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jerry served as a teacher, counselor in the Bishopric, Area Director for Public Affairs, and on the Stake High Council.

He is a former president of the Idaho Falls Education Association and served on the board of the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. He was a member of the State and National Associations of School Superintendents. He was on the Board of Directors of the Greater Idaho Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, was co-chairman of the Community Chest and President of it’s successor organization, the United Way. He has been president of the Board of Director of Development Workshop, Child Development Center, and the East Idaho Falls Kiwanis Club. He was a member of the AARP and Retired Teachers Association. He enjoyed music, nature, animals, golf, and gardening. Jerry loved people and being a positive influence on those he worked with and served.

Jerry is survived by daughter, Julie (Carey) Heaton of Idaho Falls, ID;
son, Jeff (Tina) Jacobson of San Diego, CA;
brother, Roy (Larraine) Jacobsen of Idaho Falls, ID;
7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Carol, four brothers, Ambert, Elden, Lee, and Delford, and three sisters, Erma Thomson, Delia Adams, and Venna Clay

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 22, 2014, at the Idaho Falls LDS Castlerock Ward, 260 Castlerock Lane, with Bishop Riley Hicks officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, and Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Rigby-Pioneer Cemetery. Military Rites will be performed by the Jefferson County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.