Gerald Edwin McPherson (aka Jerry Mac) was born on February 16, 1934, and crossed over into eternity on October 9, 2023.
Mac was born in Glasgow and reared on the McPherson ranch in McCone County. He was the third child of Thomas and Leila (Copeland) McPherson. Mac’s sister, Phyllis, died in infancy, in 1927. Ronald was born in 1929 and finally Mac in 1934. Jerry and Ronnie grew up on the ranch during the “Dam Days”: the construction of the Fort Peck Dam (1933-1940).
Both Ronnie and Mac graduated from Nashua High School and were stand-out athletes…excelling in both basketball and baseball. After Mac graduated, he went to work for Mountain States Telephone Company (later becoming Mountain Bell), working under his brother Ronnie. Together, they were instrumental in making the transition from operator-assisted phone service, to direct-dial, here in Valley County.
In 1956 Mac met and married Shirley Sandsness, in Helena, Montana. In the years that followed, they raised five children: Denise, Mike, Dawn, and twin girls, Michelle, and Marcelle (Marcelle passed away after only two days).
In 1959, after losing his brother Ronnie in a car accident, Jerry moved his family back to Nashua. He and Shirley bought a house in Glasgow in 1963 and the kids would all graduate, as proud “Scotties”, from Glasgow High School. Jerry and Shirley divorced in 1974.
As an avid outdoorsman. Mac spent a great deal of time fishing and hunting… and fishing! And when he wasn’t working or fishing, he enjoyed a variety of sports, including baseball, softball, and basketball leagues, bowling, golf, and… did we mention fishing?!😌🐠
Shortly before his retirement from the Telephone Company, in 1982, Jerry married Jennie Miller. The two spent a great deal of time golfing, bowling, and loving on their dog Clancy. The couple took to wintering with friends at their place in Arizona and lived the rest of the year at their home in Fort Peck. Jennie passed away in 2010, as well as their beloved “furbaby”, Clancy.
Not wanting their dad to be alone, Jerry’s children got him a puppy.… he named him Jake… and the bestest friendship ensued! Wherever you saw, “Mac,” you saw Jake!
For the next 11 years, the two were absolutely inseparable. It was during these years that Jerry’s struggle with dementia began to manifest itself. When Jake passed away in 2021, it turned Jerry’s life upside down. All his friends… at the Gateway, the Marina, Duck Creek, the Oasis, and Alleys Palace… can attest to that.
In 2022, Mac moved back into Glasgow and took up residence with two of his daughters who, with the help of “Hopencagen,” and “Old Mud”, have made him happy and comfortable right up to his passing!
Mac is preceded in death by his parents Tom and Leila; sister, Phyllis; brother, Ronnie; daughter, Marcelle; first wife, Shirley; second, wife Jennie; grandson, Brett Howard; son-in-law, Tom Thompson, and great-granddaughter, Devon Thompson.
Jerry is survived by his four children: Denise (Jeff) Howard of Helena, Mike (Linda) McPherson of Great Falls, Dawn Thompson of Glasgow, and Shelly (Tim) Ryan of Glasgow; eleven grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, one “lil shit” (straight out of papa’s mouth!) great-great-grandchild 🤣🤗 and three nieces and many dear friends.
Family will receive friends Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 5 -7:00 p.m. at Bell Mortuary. Funeral services will be Friday, October 13, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Bell Mortuary with pastor Christine Hollenbeck officiating, burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Sunnyside Country Club. Condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday October 12, 2023
Bell Mortuary
701 Second Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Friday October 13, 2023
Bell Mortuary
701 Second Avenue South
Glasgow , Montana 59230
Burial
11:30 a.m.
Friday October 13, 2023
Highland Cemetery
Highland Drive
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Reception
12:00 p.m.
Friday October 13, 2023
Sunnyside Country Club
95 Skylark Road
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday October 12, 2023
Bell Mortuary
701 Second Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m.
Friday October 13, 2023
Bell Mortuary
701 Second Avenue South
Glasgow , Montana 59230
Burial
11:30 a.m.
Friday October 13, 2023
Highland Cemetery
Highland Drive
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Reception
12:00 p.m.
Friday October 13, 2023
Sunnyside Country Club
95 Skylark Road
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Share
Buck Archambeault says
Family of Jerry Mac:
Good friend and his years with Jenny were special to me. Good times at Sunnyside!
ron & kay opp says
sorry to hear this, going to miss him, but he was a joy to visit with.
Gary and Donna says
He’s gonna be missed by so many, including us. It was always fun visiting with him at the marina. Shelly got the last dance, I got my last kiss!!!!