Jerry Lee Brendlinger

Jerry Lee Brendlinger, 75, Milo, Mo., passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at his home in Milo following a long battle with cancer. Jerry was born Dec. 23, 1943, in Aurora, Mo., to Junior Otis and Dorotha Jean (Kenyon) Brendlinger. He was united in marriage to Debra Lynn Scott on March 18, 1977, in Miami, Okla., and she survives of the home.

Jerry was raised in Aurora and graduated from Aurora High School in 1961. Following high school he attended Southwest Missouri State University in 1962. Jerry was in the retail business all of his life. When he was 14 years old he began working in a grocery store carrying out groceries and stocking shelves. He eventually became the manager of Ramey’s Supermarket in West Plains, Mo., and then later the manager of Foodtown Supermarket in Fort Scott, Kan. Jerry was always grateful to Wayne McCune for helping him purchase Maxwell’s Supermarket in Nevada, which later became Thriftway Supermarket, it was in operation for approximately 30 years before its closing.

During the 1980s Jerry and Debbie lived in Kansas where he worked for the Wichita Coca-Cola Bottling Company, managing the Great Bend Plant for a time and later the plant in Hutchinson, Kan. Later, Jerry returned to Wichita and was promoted to Vice-President of the company. He was also the president of Cash-n-Dash Convenience Stores in Nevada until they were sold in 2016. In 2007 he and Mike Shrimplin became co-owners in Carquest Auto Parts in Nevada which is still in operation today.

Jerry was instrumental in starting the yearly Jerry and Len’s Invitational Golf Tournament that continued for approximately 20 years. He was also involved in Jerry and Raul’s Catfish Tournament for many years. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and bowling. He was raised in the Southern Baptist Church. His memberships include BPO Elks in Nevada where he was Past Exalted Ruler in 1997, and the Osage Masonic Lodge No. 303 in Nevada.

In addition to his wife, Debbie, he is survived by his mother, Dorotha Brendlinger, Marionville, Mo.; two brothers, Carl Brendlinger and his wife, Pat, of Moberly, Mo., and Terry Brendlinger and his wife, Brenda, Crossville, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 29, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada. Interment will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery in Milo. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.

Memorial are suggested to Vernon County Cancer Relief in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.