Jerry Robert Stafford, 85

Jerry Robert Stafford was born Feb. 7, 1941, to Robert and Gudren Stafford in Brooks, Alberta, Canada. The family moved to the United States when Jerry was 7 years old. 

He was the second of four boys and lived a wild, carefree life of fishing right outside the family property in a nearby creek. He also loved roaming on his bicycle to other fishing spots around Flathead Valley. The family had dairy cows and Jerry milked three of them every morning at six o’clock at a young age. Life wasn't easy for them; his father was a horse-shoer and ran hundreds of horses over Marias Pass for the Army. In his early teen years, Jerry had jumped a boxcar and rode through the mountains, washing dishes and earning himself one free meal a day during this expedition. 

Jerry later married Rose Ann Nortdome. He joined the Army and was stationed in Hawaii as a gunnery commander, teaching rifle use. When he was discharged from the Army, Jerry had his own sawmill and sold lumber, later he obtained his own dump trucks and hauled gravel, Christmas trees, and anything else he could find to haul. He and Rose Ann were married for 48 years. After Rose Ann passed away, Jerry met Barbara Osborne while dancing at the Eagles.

Later in life, he still loved to fish and hunt, go on trial rides, and pack into the wilderness. He was also a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls. 

Jerry and Barbara enjoyed taking trips together. Barb was a wonderful caregiver to Jerry during the last 13 years while he battled cancer and congestive heart failure. She was by his side at the time of his passing on Feb. 13, 2026, at Logan Health in Whitefish. 

Jerry is survived by his brother, Don, nephew, Dan, his companion, Barbara and her family, who took Jerry in as their own. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, his wife, Rose Ann and other relatives.

A funeral service for Jerry will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Columbia Mortuary with a graveside committal at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family. Online condolences can be shared at columbiamortuary.com.