Gerald 'Gerry' Lee Kimzey, 88

Gerald L. Kimzey passed away at the age of 88 on April 11, 2026, surrounded by family, and after an extended battle with heart disease and dementia. 

Gerald was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, on May 24, 1937, to Walter S Kimzey (of Evans, Colo.) and Inez E. Kimzey (Blakesley, of Loveland, Colo.). After growing up in and around Sandpoint, he attended the University of Idaho (Moscow, Idaho), graduating with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Gerry then joined the US Forrest Service full-time, participating in surveying, planning, and project execution across Northern District National Forrest and Grasslands sites. Gerry met Barbara Meyer, a nurse from Fargo, N.D., working in Denver, Colo., while she was visiting her sister Carolyn in Kalispell, Mont. They were married on Jan. 16, 1969, in Sedalia, Colo., in the living room of Douglas County Judge Calixte "Bud" Hebert, with her belongings already packed for the drive back to Kalispell. They set up their permanent household in Kalispell the following year, where they resided until her passing in 2025.

Gerry continued his tenure at the USFS until his retirement in 1994, and Barbara retired several years later after working almost 30 years at Kalispell Regional Hospital. Gerry ate well as Barbara was both a talented cook and gardener, and he otherwise enjoyed his time raising their children, playing golf, bowling and enjoying the outdoors- walking and boating. Barbara and Gerry traveled the world but took the greatest pleasure in time with friends and family, particularly in their role as indulgent grandparents.   

Gerry is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Inez (Blakesley) Kimzey, brother Kenneth Kimzey and daughter Ann Kimzey. He is survived by his sister Eva Lou (Kimzey) Selle, daughter Amy Kimzey, son-in-law Scott Berger, granddaughters Katarina and Melanie Berger, and a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews. 

The family is conducting a private funeral. In lieu of flowers, they request that you please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).