Jerry Poland

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Jerry Poland, age 73 of Sargent, NE, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2025, on Pamela’s birthday, after a long battle with cancer. They are dancing together again.

Jerry Gordon Poland was born on February 9, 1952, at home in Sargent, NE, to Gean and Mary (Johnson) Poland. Jerry was united in marriage to Pamela Genn on January 6, 1976. To this union, three children were born: John Mason, Debra, and Joe.

Jerry was raised on the Poland Ranch until the age of three, when the family moved into Sargent, where Jerry lived the rest of his life. Jerry was a member of the Sargent High School State Championship basketball team and graduated from Sargent High School in 1970. Jerry went on to college on a Basketball Scholarship to Hastings College, where he played basketball while studying Auto Body. During college, he worked for Louie Ropers at Louie’s Body Shop, and after graduating from college, he returned to work for Louie for the next 24 years. Jerry opened his own body shop, “Jerry’s Body Shop,” from 1996 to 2022. Jerry was also a police officer for the city of Sargent from 1985 to 1999; while also doing his auto body job, he also worked for the Sargent Public Schools as a bus route driver and activity bus driver from 2011 to 2025. Jerry also owned a wrecker service as well working his other jobs. Jerry enjoyed driving around town with his Yorkies.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Gean and Mary; his wife, Pamela Poland; his son, John Mason; his infant brother; his sister-in-law, Mary Sue Poland; his mother and stepfather-in-law, Darlene and Gaylon Nelson; and his father-in-law, Bill Genn.

Jerry is survived by daughter Debra (Mike) Nekuda of North Platte, son Joe (Tanya) Poland of Kearney, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, niece, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a brother Marvin Poland of Belle Fourche, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Sargent Community Center in Sargent, NE. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery—lunch to follow at the Sargent Community Center. Memorials are suggested to the Sargent American Legion Auxiliary or may be dropped off or mailed to First National Bank of Sargent, PO Box 130, Sargent, NE 68874. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 27th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Church of Christ in Sargent. “Jerry has requested that everyone dress casually, like he would have seen them around town.” Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online words of remembrance or condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.