Jerry Wayne Secrist, 64, died March 5, 2006, in Charlie Lake, British Columbia, following a courageous 23- year battle with cancer. He was born December 28, 1941 in Inglewood, California, the son of the late Wayne E. and LaPriel Bailey Secrist. He married Tamara Ewer on May 28, 1955 in Tremonton, Utah.
He attended Bear River High School in Garland where he participated on the swimming and track teams. Following graduation, he served a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the North Central States and Ontario. He received a B.S-degree in English Education from Utah State University in 1967. He served in the National Guard in Garland, Salt Lake City, and Moses Lake, Washington.
During his teaching career, Jerry taught at the junior and senior high school levels. Because he loved a challenge and variety, he not only taught English but he branched out into other areas – remedial math, business education, community recreation, physical education, and once he even tried a cooking class, where he sandwiched bannock and moose steak into the curriculum.
He coached basketball for over 25 years. ln addition to teaching, he took on jobs in the logging industry, worked as a welder's helper in the Northern BC oil fields, and fenced and cleared farmland. He wanted to understand the lifestyles from which his students came.
His love of the outdoors drew him to the Peace River Country of Northern British Columbia. He lived on acreage near Fort St. John on the Alaska Highway. where he raised and trained horses. The bounty from his large garden and raspberry patch was shared with family and friends. He aimed at being seif-sufficient and took satisfaction in working with his hands. His summer trips in the mountains provided him with his greatest pleasure in life - horses, family, friends, and the freedom and challenge of the out door's.
Shortly before his passing, he completed and published a novel, "A Place to Stand" - a tribute to the strength and sacrifice of the early settlers in the Peace River area.
He is survived by his wife, Tamara; sons, Wade Michael (Carrie) Secrist, Erik William Secrist, Joe Edward Secrist, Fort St. John BC; Owen Wayne Secrist, Fort St. John, BC; granddaughter, Jaden Taylor Secrist; sisters Linda (Keith Sieber, SLC; Kathleen Goodliffe, Farmington; Annette (Ken) Adams, Tremonton; Joan {Scott) Sandberg, St. George. He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne E. Secrist, his mother, LaPriel Bailley Secrist, and his brother, Glen Secrist.
Jr Garfield
Jr Garfield
Jerry Wayne Secrist, 64, died March 5, 2006, in Charlie Lake, British Columbia, following a courageous 23- year battle with cancer. He was born December 28, 1941 in Inglewood, California, the son of the late Wayne E. and LaPriel Bailey Secrist. He married Tamara Ewer on May 28, 1955 in Tremonton, Utah.
He attended Bear River High School in Garland where he participated on the swimming and track teams. Following graduation, he served a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the North Central States and Ontario. He received a B.S-degree in English Education from Utah State University in 1967. He served in the National Guard in Garland, Salt Lake City, and Moses Lake, Washington.
During his teaching career, Jerry taught at the junior and senior high school levels. Because he loved a challenge and variety, he not only taught English but he branched out into other areas – remedial math, business education, community recreation, physical education, and once he even tried a cooking class, where he sandwiched bannock and moose steak into the curriculum.
He coached basketball for over 25 years. ln addition to teaching, he took on jobs in the logging industry, worked as a welder's helper in the Northern BC oil fields, and fenced and cleared farmland. He wanted to understand the lifestyles from which his students came.
His love of the outdoors drew him to the Peace River Country of Northern British Columbia. He lived on acreage near Fort St. John on the Alaska Highway. where he raised and trained horses. The bounty from his large garden and raspberry patch was shared with family and friends. He aimed at being seif-sufficient and took satisfaction in working with his hands. His summer trips in the mountains provided him with his greatest pleasure in life - horses, family, friends, and the freedom and challenge of the out door's.
Shortly before his passing, he completed and published a novel, "A Place to Stand" - a tribute to the strength and sacrifice of the early settlers in the Peace River area.
He is survived by his wife, Tamara; sons, Wade Michael (Carrie) Secrist, Erik William Secrist, Joe Edward Secrist, Fort St. John BC; Owen Wayne Secrist, Fort St. John, BC; granddaughter, Jaden Taylor Secrist; sisters Linda (Keith Sieber, SLC; Kathleen Goodliffe, Farmington; Annette (Ken) Adams, Tremonton; Joan {Scott) Sandberg, St. George. He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne E. Secrist, his mother, LaPriel Bailley Secrist, and his brother, Glen Secrist.