Jerry Jameson

Jerry R. Jameson, 80 of Raytown MO, passed away, Sunday July 21, 2013 at Westridge Gardens Raytown, Mo. Services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 26, 2013 at the Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Avenue, Independence, MO 64052. Burial with full military honors will follow in Mt. Washington Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday evening at the chapel.
Jerry was born in Dayton, Ohio April 2, 1933 the son of the late Mildred and Russel D. Jameson. He leaves his wife, Vera Earlene Jameson of the home; four children, Jerri Lynn Huggins and husband Brian, Robert Bruce Jameson, Tami Sue Danhauer and Sean Michael Jameson; grandchildren, Matt Stahl, Kevin Stahl, Dan Jameson, Sarah Danhauer, Megan Jameson Cook, husband Ryan, Brian Jameson, Stephany Huggins Smith, David Huggins, wife Tonia, Daniel Huggins wife Nicy. Sister, Lynda Melton, husband Steve, son Scott. Brother, Gene Jameson & his son, Butch, deceased. Leaving a wife Claudy & children, Brenda, Terry, Cindy, Connie; great grandchildren, nieces & nephews.
Jerry attended a co-op school in Dayton Ohio learning machining. He wanted to be like his grandfather, a machinist at National Cash Register. Jerry's father moved the family to Raytown in 1948; he got a job in Kansas City. Shortly after arrival he was unemployed. Jerry, at 14, had to assist putting food on the table, hunting and jobs with local dairy farmers & others. He was an Eagle Scout. He attended Raytown High School. Raytown High was given machinery after the war for shop classes however; no one was experienced in their operation. Jerry wasn't afraid to start them and use them. He had learned auto mechanics from his father & his racing friends in Ohio. As a teenager he belonged to The Crank Twisters auto club. Jerry was an avid drag racer and had built his own engines and had become a flat head Ford expert. The car clubs petitioned to get a place off Chouteau for a legal drag strip to race these engines safely. As newer automobiles came on the market with bigger engines, the car clubs approached manufacturers to secure roll bars in the car bodies. They suggested “safety harness” for everyone in the car. People would push those cars with bigger engines & lose control fast! Manufacturers comment, “Oh foolishness, people wouldn't do that, if they put that kind of stuff in cars the cost would be prohibitive, why they couldn't sell them.”
After graduation in 1952 he was hired by Bendix Corp, (Allied Signal). He had joined the Navy Reserve at 17 and worked about a year when he was called to active duty. He then cross rated into the Sea Bees. He served 4 years on Guam during the Korean Conflict and was discharged as a Petty Officer Second Class in 1956. His job was waiting at Bendix. He went from machinist, was offered a foreman position and later advanced to night shift supervisor and taught math classes there. He retired after 40 years with Allied. During his years as a machinist he was an active representative & negotiator for Aero Space Machinist Lodge #314. He was very proud of the people that worked for & with him.
He was active in stock car racing. Building cars and engines for himself and others. He, his partner and friend, the late Jim Barton, built and raced stock & Sprint cars. Jerry's other love, Civil War history and the use of black powder arms. He joined the Ft. Osage Muzzleloaders, Ray Miller Range. That man was his idol, friend and teacher of building fine rifles. He wanted to follow him in building guns and built a few. He was a member of the Blacksmith Association of Missouri, BAM, field representative for NMLRA, Range Master & taught classes for receiving a Range Master License, taught competitive shooting to two son's & two grandson's and a daughter took it up later. He was also a member of Lake Lotawana Sportsmen Club & Pioneer Gun Club, the Raytown Historical Society and active with The Raytown Democratic Association, and had served as president until his health started to fail.