Gerald (Jerry) Francis Leavitt died January 20, 2017 of a cardiac arrest. Jerry was born June 16, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to Frank and Esther Berg-Leavitt.
Jerry attended numerous schools in Columbus, OH, Chicago, IL, Chisholm, MN, Denver, CO, Waterloo, IA, St. Paul, MN, Duluth, MN, Oxnard, CA, Jacksonville, FL, Pensacola, FL and Washington DC. By the time he graduated from the George Washington University he had attended 26 different schools. In high school he was captain of the Minnesota state champion track team. He was a member of the record holding 880 yard relay team, a record that stood for many years. This was the only time in the school’s history that it achieved the state championship. After graduation he worked as a punch press operator until closure of the manufacturing plant.
From 1950 to 1954 Jerry served in the US Navy as an aerial photographer in Florida, California and Guam. While in the navy he met and married Janet Jensen. They had three children – Kim, Tracy, and Eric. They divorced and Jerry later married Rose Gail Crouch.
Following an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Jerry established the Department of Medical Photography at St Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. While in that position he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in economics. This was followed by attendance at The George Washington University and graduation with an MBA in Health Care Administration. He then became the administrator of two hospitals in California and one in Helena, MT. While at St Peter’s Community Hospital he directed the assumption of the entire community’s hospital needs on the announced closure of St John’s Hospital. The transition was accomplished so seamlessly its’ description was included in the syllabus of several college health care graduate programs. He was always proud the task was completed in record time.
He left St Peter’s to become Executive Director of the Montana Hospitals Rate Review System, a position he held for 22 years until he retired. During his time in the health care field Jerry served on many boards, commissions, and service organizations such as Montana Blue Cross, the Montana Hospital Association, the Rocky Mountain Development Council, Kiwanis, and Rotary, several as president/chairman. He was elected to the Helena Citizens Council and served two terms. Jerry’s final move to Helena was one that would last 47 years (as of 2016). Many times he said he was “better than native Montanan’s who had only been born here because I chose the place.”
He was often happiest in the company of a coffee group known as the “Geezers.” Not always at the coffee shop solving the problems of the world but also in the homes of the members when they had problems with their computers.
Jerry considered himself fortunate to have been selected for jury duty on six occasions. He believed each to be of “high importance” with one being criminal endangerment, another child abuse, another a charge of murder, a suit brought by prisoners following a prison riot that had involved death, spousal battery and the last a case involving burglary.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, step-son Donald Gama (by three hours on January 20th), daughter Tracy and ex-wife Janet. He is survived by his wife of forty two years, Rose, sister Carole (Louie) Dubla of Duluth, MN, children Kimberly and Eric (Cathy) of Everett, WA, step-daughter-in-law Trena Gama of Helena, several nieces and nephews, ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren .
His request was that any donations in his name be sent to the Salvation Army in remembrance of services provided to him while a member of the military and for the good works they continue to do.
Please see below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Jerry.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday February 4, 2017
First Presbyterian Church
535 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Immediately following the memorial service
Saturday February 4, 2017
Richardson Hall of church
535 Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
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jeff and melissa sherlock says
Rose, we were very sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. He was a wonderful man and a great husband; we will keep you in our thoughts; Jeff and Melissa
Pat Johnston Ross says
Rose,
I am so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. As we are in Yuma, AZ, I will not be able to attend services but will keep you in my prayers.
Yvonne McCormack says
Rose you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you tons
Art and Clara Gilreath says
Rose, Art and I send our condolences
Sorry for your loss
Margaret Woo says
Dear Rose,
I’m so sorry for your losses, both Jerry and your son. Jerry was so good to work with when he was the head of MHRRS. We had project for which I crunched the numbers. I’ll always remember what a great host he was (and you as hostess) at the New Years Day parties, how he held court during the bowl games.
With love,
Margaret
Laurena Stephens says
Rose and family,
We were saddened to read about Jerry and your son. Thinking of you with deepest sympathy.
Laurena and Ken Stephens
Valerie and Bob Raisch says
Rose,
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your beloved Jerry. What an incredible life he had and a beautiful obituary in his honor. Please accept our loving concern and wish I could support you now by being at the service.
God bless you and give you comfort and sfrength.
Love,
Valerie and Bob Raisch
mike and peggy naegele says
Rose: So sorry to hear of the double passing, son and husband.. Jerry was one of the good guys..one of my favorite people. God bless
Kim Sickerson says
Dearest Rose,
I was so deeply saddened to learn of Jerry’s passing. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I pray God will give you the comfort you so desperately need at this time. You are so loved.
Love & Hugs,
Kim
Paul Lamphier says
Rose, I am sad to hear of Jerry’s passing. He was the hospital administrator at SPH when I started working there in 1969. I really liked him and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to have worked at the hospital where he ran the show. A really nice guy!
Lee Roath says
My condolences to a very nice gentleman that I had the great opportunity to work with. The world will be less fortunate without Jerry in it, but Heaven will jump for joy with his presence.
Barbara J McDonald says
Jerry and my dad (Thomas J. McDonald) were first cousins. My paternal grandma was Edith Berg McDonald. I knew Grandma had several siblings, most of whom lived in the Chisholm area (Grandma lived in Hibbing and I grew up in Hibbing). Grandma died in 1975; my paternal grandfather died in the 1930s. Several years back Esther Berg (widow of Harold Berg, Grandma’s brother) was turning 80 and so her daugher Ardy and Ardy’s kids were planning a birthday celebration for her. Apparently invites were made to many members of the Berg family. My parents, sister Susie, and I attended. Jerry was there. I hadn’t met him before. He and my dad started talking about a time when they were kids playing with a train set and, if my memory is correct, Jerry bonked Dad over the head with a train. They laughed about it. Jerry was also doing some research on the Berg family and sometime later he sent me a CD with what he had put together. I recently was wondering if Jerry was still alive (Dad died in 2008; Mom 2013) so googled him and saw his obit. Sorry to hear of his passing. Sounds like he had many accomplishments in his life.