Gary Edgar Jeanes was born in Ringgold County, Iowa on April 28, 1939, to Robert Edgar and Doris Byrdie (Wiley) Jeanes. He passed away at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa on April 29, 2020, after a tragic farm accident on his property the evening before.
When Gary was growing up he showed cattle in 4-H and FFA. One of the most memorable shows was when he went to St. Joe, Mo. to show his steer. He took great pride in raising his own show cattle. Gary won an award for outstanding plowmanship and was county champion for RinggoldâDecatur Counties in 1955. He won the Star District Iowa Farmer Award in FFA.
Gary was a farmer all his life. He married the love of his life and partner, Helen Waddell, on February 8, 1959. They were married 60 years before Helenâs death on January 7, 2020. The couple farmed side by side, milking cows and raising pigs. Gary still grew corn and beans and raised cows till he passed away.
Gary and Helen were blessed with two children, Kenneth Douglas âDougâ Jeanes and wife, Laura of Lamoni, Iowa and Denise K. Jennings and husband, Chuck of Bethany, Mo.; three grandchildren, Bill Jennings and Kaley, Tyler Jeanes and Hanna, and Tiffany Magstadt and Drew; and two great grandchildren, Kambri and Myla Rae Jeanes.
Gary was a hard worker and took great pride in his ability to farm and own his own land. He was involved with his grandchildren showing cattle in 4-H and FFA. He enjoyed watching them at the fairs.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Jack Jeanes; wife, Helen Jeanes; brothers-in-law, David Smith, Merlin Matteson, Donald Sams, and Gill LaFaille; sister-in-law, Beth Waddell; nephew Paul LaFaille; and niece Brenda Cason.
He is survived by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren; sisters, Donna Smith and Ann Matteson; brother, Casey Jeanes and wife, Maurita; brothers-in-law, Don Waddell and Charles Waddell and wife, Judy; and sisters-in-law, Wanda Sams and Laverna LaFaille.
Private funeral services will be held at the Slade â OâDonnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa. Memorials may be given to the Decatur County Fair Board in Garyâs memory.